Solus has inaugurated its first vehicle repair centre in the North East, promising job creation and economic growth in the region.
- The new facility at Hillthorn Park, Washington, will create around 30 jobs, marking a significant investment in Sunderland’s automotive industry.
- Solus, operated under the national insurance group Aviva, manages a substantial portion of Aviva’s motor damage claims across the UK.
- The development is supported by prominent entities including Legal & General, the North East LEP, and the ERDF.
- Local authorities hailed the establishment as a boost to high-quality skilled employment in the area.
Around 30 new positions are anticipated as Solus, a subsidiary of the national insurance conglomerate Aviva, opens a new vehicle repair centre in Sunderland. This new branch at Hillthorn Park in Washington represents Solus’s first foray into the North East market. It will be equipped to handle various roles, from management posts to customer care positions, thereby broadening the local job market.
Solus is already an established name in the UK with 22 existing repair centres. Through these centres, Solus facilitates repairs and loss management for vehicles involved in accidents or incidents. Notably, they manage one-third of Aviva’s motor damage claims nationwide, underscoring their crucial role in the insurance sector.
The inauguration of the Washington centre aligns with Solus’s broader expansion initiatives, including forthcoming sites in Sheffield and Exeter. Simon Smith, managing director at Solus, shared his pride in opening the new branch, highlighting its importance in delivering excellent service to customers and aiding them in promptly and safely returning to driving.
Developed with backing from Legal & General, the North East LEP, and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the £60 million Hillthorn Park is poised to become a significant industrial hub. It will eventually offer 620,000 square feet of industrial space across 11 commercial buildings, fostering further economic vitality in the North East.
Counsellor Kevin Johnston of Sunderland City Council praised Solus’s decision to establish its first North East hub at Hillthorn Park. His comments reflected a broader municipal strategy to enhance Sunderland’s automotive industry and attract businesses that can leverage the city’s strategic advantages for growth.
The establishment is a testament to the region’s potential and could herald a new era of collaboration between major businesses and local economies, positioning Sunderland as a burgeoning centre for automotive excellence in Northern England.
The opening of Solus’s new centre in Sunderland marks a significant investment in the region’s economic and employment landscape.
