Jobs joy as Stafford firm secures multi-million pound deals

Deals have been struck with major companies EDF, London Underground, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, Centrica and Crossrail recently, with the order book currently at £157 million.

Alstom, which is Stafford's biggest private employer, has already taken on around 350 workers in the town this year. It was also revealed today that UK sales from April to July stand at £261m.

Stafford Borough Council leader Mike Heenan said it was excellent news that more jobs were being created.

He said: "It's absolutely splendid news for the company and for Stafford.

"There are signs that things are picking up in the industrial sector.

"I'd like to congratulate Alstom on their hard work to land new contracts. As a town we are attracting the extra work and jobs."

Across several of its bases in the UK, Alstom is recruiting 600 new workers, with just under half being advertised for in Stafford.

Alstom's UK president, Terence Watson, said: "It's heartening that, in what are difficult times, we continue to win major orders across the country and to increase our head count at a time when many companies are struggling.

"We have 600 vacancies already and, going forward, we believe that's only going to continue.

"Our continuing success comes from being able to offer innovative products not only in the UK but also overseas, where we get around a quarter of our turnover.

"That's why we have dedicated growth plans that we believe will see us grow turnover, expertise, exports and head count for the foreseeable future as we build on our already exceptional results and teams."

Power equipment maker Alstom employs around 6,500 people in the UK.

The grid and power business in Stafford is located just off Lichfield Road.

Alstom is currently lead contractor for the 880 MW Carrington gas-fired power station in Greater Manchester and is part of the consortium building the extension to Nottingham's tram system.