A PLASTICS firm is ramping up expansion plans after homeowners’ desire to enjoy their gardens gave its order book impetus.

Plastic Mouldings Northern is searching for a new base after heightened demand for its Jouplast adjustable risers.

The company, based in Bishop Auckland, supplies the products, which ensure decking and paving slabs sit even, to a number of well-known DIY chains.

However, sales director, Freddy Bourdais, told The Northern Echo the business is now close to forming Jouplast UK, a separate company focusing on the equipment.

Plastic Mouldings has a deal with Jouplast, based in western France, to exclusively distribute the equipment across Britain, with B&Q and builders’ merchant, Jewson, just two of its customers.

Mr Bourdais, who founded the company with business partner and production director, Mark Rigg, said the firm has so far been frustrated in its attempts to find space, claiming some vendors would rather see a site sold off for housing than industry, which carries greater financial rewards.

However, The Northern Echo understands Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business division, is now providing support and advice on potential sites.

Mr Bourdais said: “The business is there and we are using every square inch of the factory.

“When we have a delivery we sometimes have to put it on the tarmac outside the gates because we no space.

“We would keep our existing place and declutter it, so we could get space for manufacturing.

“What we rapidly need is a warehouse, which would primarily be for distribution.”

Mr Bourdais said Jouplast is providing Plastic Mouldings, which operates out of South Church Enterprise Park, with a real fillip.

He added it was also build on its status as a known supplier of parts to car makers Bentley and Jaguar and electricals firms Electrolux and Black and Decker.

He added: “We do not need finance, we are doing well Brexit or no Brexit.

“We want to spend our hard-earned cash and put it towards our growth.

“The product has been accepted by everyone and we don’t need to sell it; people only needed to look at B&Q and how it was doing.

“We think the market in the UK is as big, if not bigger, than in France.”