New plant set to boost sales and create jobs

The new plant will enable Ward, which employs 140 people across the UK, to boost sales by £2m by taking in sub-12mm mixed glass. Using a special sterilisation and implosion process, the company expects to turn out 25,000 tonnes of non-sharp product in 2013 for use in water filtration, shot blast and decorative aggregates. The expected growth follows support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service and Teesside University in working towards and successfully securing BSI PAS 102, the quality accreditation for processed glass used in secondary end markets, held by only a few organisations of Ward's size. On the back of the accreditation, the firm's products are currently being assessed by the DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) and, if successful, could see the glass plant running 24 hours a day, five days a week within 18 months. This would be a significant diversification from Ward's core offer, which includes bring bank collection services, dry recycling sorting and various styles of kerbside collections.