A metal products company hopes to expand its range of business opportunities with the recruitment of an ‘old boy’ to its ranks.

Hartlepool-based expanded metal mesh pioneer The Expanded Metal Company has appointed Muhammad Short as its new business development manager.

The former employee has rejoined the company to strengthen the market presence of its ExMesh range and increase the division’s profile.

He also hopes to identify and secure new opportunities across a range of sectors, including utilities, transport, data centres and telecoms.

The Expanded Metal Company’s ExMesh range offers innovative, British-made fencing systems, gates and other security products designed to protect people, property and infrastructure from a broad array of threats.

Mr Short has more than 16 years of experience in the security and fencing industries.

Having started his career at The Expanded Metal Company, he joined security door specialist Sunray Engineering as a business development manager.

He then undertook sales and export roles at security products manufacturer Bradbury Group before being appointed business development manager at Homegrown Timber (Rail) Ltd, where he worked in the fencing arm of the company.

ExMesh products are developed and manufactured at Expanded Metal’s 25,000-square metre Hartlepool site, a long-established global centre for expanded metal expertise.

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The company, which has operated for more than 125 years, was the first UK fencing manufacturer to be awarded Secured by Design status.

Managing director Philip Astley said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Muhammad back to The Expanded Metal Company.

“He is an accomplished business development manager who has worked at the forefront of the security industry for many years and brings with him a deep level of expertise and wide-ranging, practical installation experience.

“Muhammad understands the challenges faced by fencing contractors, security specialists and end users, and combines this with a real passion for the industry.

“It’s fantastic to have him on board.”

Mr Short spoke of his excitement at his return to Expanded Metal.

“The ExMesh division has a highly talented team behind it who are committed to solving physical security challenges across a number of key sectors.

“I’m looking forward to supporting the growth of ExMesh in the security products market and meeting customers both old and new!”

The ExMesh range includes accredited security fencing systems, anti-climb measures and cages, plus its Securilath products, the only range to be LPCB certified when applied to metal stud, timber stud and block walls.

It also manufactures ExMesh Fastrack, a fence system developed for the rail industry, and ExMesh Electra, designed for the electric and telecoms industries.

The company has a rich industrial heritage dating back to 1889, when it was founded by John French Golding, the inventor and patentee of expanded metal.

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