INDUSTRIAL group Chieftain yesterday said it had clinched a significant contract on Teesside.

The Newcastle plc said its Wilton subsidiary company, R Blackett Charlton (RBC), had secured work with Huntsman Pigments. The contract, which will last for an initial three years with an option for a further two, is to provide engineering term maintenance and project services at Huntsman's Greatham site.

A total of 67 staff from the incumbent contractor will transfer onto RBC's books under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment) agreement.

The contract with Huntsman is the fifth significant contract signed by RBC since it opened on Teesside last year.

RBC's other Teesside clients include BASF, ConocoPhilips, Hydro Polymers and px Limited, the operator of Teesside Power Station.

Bill Taylor, Chieftain chief executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Huntsman Pigments as a client for RBC's Teesside engineering services operation, which has grown substantially since it was formed last year. We welcome our new site staff into our organisation and look forward to a long and successful relationship with our client."

Wayne Barnacal, senior vice-president of Huntsman Pigments, said: "We are very pleased to have reached agreement with RBC."