A PLUMBING merchant is signalling its commitment to its hometown with a new building to house its expanding operation.

JTM Plumbing, which is currently based in Henson Road in Darlington, will soon move to a purpose-built facility on the town's Faverdale Industrial Estate after outgrowing its rented facility due to rapid expansion.

The firm was set up 10 years ago by Jason Mulroy, who sold the first orders from his home, and has gone from strength to strength over the past decade - recording a turnover of £7.1m in the last 12 months.

The Northern Echo revealed the business, which sells thousands of products every month, had bought a 2.2-acre plot of land at Faverdale Industrial Estate last year.

Mr Mulroy said: "The business started in our house with an order for £13.68 and has expanded at such a rate that we decided to build our own unit on Faverdale.

"We were keen to stay in Darlington and as there were no suitable commercial premises of the scale we needed, we decided to build our own.

"The new site gives us three times more floor space and a better designed warehouse for staff, as well as being well-sited for major transport links."

The expansion will allow the firm to offer a wider product range as well as holding increased levels of stock, supporting the company's commitment to offering next-day delivery on orders.

Mr Mulroy said: "We hold considerable stock, more than most plumbing merchants, and distribute products both nationally and internationally.

"Our new site means we can stock products for new areas within the industry and better serve our commercial customers, whose products are usually high volume and bulk."

JTM has been supported in its growth by accountants Anderson Barrowcliff, of Stockton, which also helped the firm secure a £100,000 grant for the new premises.

Mr Mulroy said: "We consult with Anderson Barrowcliff over all major accounting decisions and trust them implicitly.

"We feel secure in the knowledge that they have the expertise to continue to support us well into the future."

Helen Wilson, partner at Anderson Barrowcliff, said: "It is wonderful to see Jason and the JTM team go from strength to strength, and I am sure the new premises will help them continue their remarkable growth.

"We love working together and can't wait to see what the future holds."

For more information about JTM plumbing, visit www.jtmplumbing.co.uk.