A Spanish utility contractor is set to hoping to create 200 new jobs in the North East over the next few years after starting work on a £50m broadband project.
IQA Elecnor Group is moving into the final unit at speculative development Infinity Park in South Tyneside, making the premises its regional headquarters.
The firm took on the office after being awarded a major contract in Newcastle to provide high spec fibre-in-the-loop, or FTTH networks.
IQA Group started with 20 people in the area and now employs 100 staff. It plans to ramp up investment within South Tyneside following the broadband contract win, and plans to growing its headcount to a minimum of 300 over the next five years.
Now, as it starts work on the sizeable scheme, the firm is looking to work with supply chain companies to put the North East in the top tier of internet connectivity.
The Spanish-owned utility contracting firm is hosting a Meet the Buyer event in collaboration with Invest South Tyneside, South Tyneside Council’s business investment team, on March 26, at The Quadrus Centre in Boldon.
The directors want to speak to civils, fibre installation, white top and specialist directional drilling teams at the event.
Infinity Park in South Tyneside is now full after IQA Elecnor signed a 10-year deal, secured by Newcastle’s HTA Real Estate.
The £5m park at Monkton Business Park in Hebburn was developed by Washington-based Hellens Group, and has three industrial units which are now occupied by a variety of businesses following deals brokered by joint agents HTA Real Estate and Avison Young.
Craig Roberts, business development director at IQA, said: “We are keen to talk to local companies to build a robust and diverse regional supply chain to deliver the installation of full-fibre to across the North East.
“South Tyneside is now our fifth UK site and a focus for investment in the future as we have a number of projects across the region.
We’ll be looking to further develop our Hebburn base as we look to work over a number of sectors in the market driving our growth.”
