A CABLE maker has announced plans to expand to a new site after revealing it has seen no adverse effects from the Brexit vote.

JDR, based in Hartlepool, supply subsea power cables and umbilicals to the offshore energy industry, and the company has announced it is to open a new European service support centre in Newcastle.

The new 4,000 sq m site will be located on the River Tyne, and bosses say it will act as “the central base for JDR’s European service operations."

The expansion follows a rise in demand for JDR’s offshore installation work and maintenance services.

Tom Nightingale, strategy and marketing manager at JDR, said the site, which is planned to open in 2017, will be used to support the company’s service work,.

“Newcastle has great facilities for us and obviously has great supply chain links for the North-East."

Mr Nightingale also said JDR has not been effected by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union in June.

“We are still waiting to see the full impact, but at the moment, we haven’t seen any effect from Brexit.”

Mr Nightingale said there will be a two-story office block constructed next to the warehouse, with the overall site having the “potential” to create space for 50 jobs.

“We have a five year plan and this is a key part of the plan.

“Our success in the renewable energy market will hopefully provide more opportunity for service work."

Ivan Coyard, chief finance officer at JDR, said: “We are very excited to announce this new European service centre.

“We expect our service contracts to increase significantly as we continue to build on our recent successes, delivering cables and umbilicals globally to the offshore energy industry.

“Through this dedicated facility, we will set a new standard in service support" he added.

Earlier this year, JDR announced it was designing and making more than seven miles of cabling for a Scottish oil field, 140 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.

The firm also revealed it will supply umbilicals, which act as underwater connections to provide power and link structures, to developments in Qatar and United Arab Emirates.