MANUFACTURER John Elliott is still going strong after 50 years and says he wants to bring fridge-making back to the North East.
The chairman of Bishop Auckland water cooler and dehumidifying company Ebac, which is celebrating its half century in manufacturing industry this year, plans to open a new plant in the town.
The successful entrepreneur currently employs 220 people in his home town and says the new factory would create a further 80 jobs. There is only one other fridge maker in the UK, Hotpoint in the Midlands, and nearby fridge component manufacturer Parker Hannifin, of Crook, is closing with the loss of 185 jobs in June.