Investment in new fire protection facility

International Paint will invest £6.2M to build a new testing laboratory for fire protection products at its manufacturing site in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. The company said the steel framed facility, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2011, will create 14 new jobs, and secure a further 30 at the site.

“This facility will significantly improve our ability to satisfy our customers’ current and future fire protection requirements,” said Dipak Mistry, Technical Manager for International Paint’s Protective Coatings business.

“The laboratory will form part of a state-of-the-art centre of excellence for fire protection. Our intention is to bring new products to the market faster and drive the improvement of fire protection in the industry.”