AN offshore cable maker aims to create jobs as it continues to secure work.

JDR Cable Systems, in Hartlepool, told The Northern Echo it wants capitalise on contract wins to make its base a centre of excellence for global offshore projects.

The company employs about 160 workers and said it hopes to add to the site, though any changes could be potentially shaped by Government energy plans after the General Election.

Earlier this year, the company claimed a second successive win in the Coalition’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) job creation scheme to help its expansion.

It also has deals to send 105km (65 miles) of cabling to the German 72-turbine Vattenfall AB Sandbank offshore wind farm and ship more than 95km (60 miles) of cabling to Norfolk’s Dudgeon offshore development, which is expected to power more than 400,000 homes every year from 2017.

Martin Boden, JDR’s chief financial and compliance officer, said: “Hartlepool is an absolutely key location for us; it’s our biggest site, our most important site, and we are very committed to it.

“If we can continue to win projects then that could lead to more employment.

“There will be growth at Hartlepool and we are very excited about the contracts that we have won.

“We haven’t been shouting from the treetops about RGF because there is still a little uncertainty in the offshore wind sector and we have the General Election coming up.

“But once we know what is likely to happen, that will allow us to see the opportunities in Hartlepool.

“However, there is also some good short-term work, including Germany, which is very exciting for us.”

Mr Boden said its North-East factory also gave it an edge against competitors, citing its prowess to make different types of equipment.

The company supplies steel umbilicals, which include hoses to provide power for oil and gas work, as well as inter-array cabling for offshore wind projects.

Mr Boden also revealed the firm will open a service centre in Brazil next month to provide maintenance and support companies operating in the region.

He added: “We are unique in that Hartlepool that we can do both of those and it’s great to have that flexibility.

“The Brazil move is a great opportunity for the business and we have had lot of support from UK Trade and Investment and UK Export Finance, who are flying the flag for JDR.”

Earlier this week, The Northern Echo revealed JDR is making 18.2km (11 miles) of steel cable for Wintershall Noordzee, which will operate on the North Sea Ravn oil development and connect two platforms.

The cabling will be made in Hartlepool and delivered next year.

The company previously supplied more than 200km (124 miles) of cables to the £1.9bn 175-turbine London Array development.