A MILLING machine maker has secured a major Chinese order, which it hopes will be the catalyst for increased sales in the country.

International Innovative Technologies (IIT), in Gateshead, has won a £750,000 deal to supply grinding equipment for a ceramic tile plant in Zibo, Shandong.

The move has led to IIT creating new sales jobs, and bosses also want to add to its 25-strong workforce at its Team Valley factory with product and design engineers.

As part of the deal, the factory's operator, V-tong, will exclusively distribute IIT's products to China's ceramic tile industry.

V-tong is a joint venture between Hong Kong waste materials recycling specialist Vecor and a Chinese ceramic tile maker.

Tom Wilkinson, IIT founder and chairman, said: “This is a significant order in its own right, but the distribution partnership means we are ideally placed to expand our market presence in China.

“V-tong has ambitious growth plans of its own, which we will be supporting with more equipment.

"But there is also tremendous potential for our system, not only in the Chinese ceramics sector, but also for the milling of other raw materials and minerals.”

Alex Koszo, Vecor managing director, added: “The technical capability of IIT's grinding system has considerable potential applications elsewhere in China.

“We are very excited by the opportunities opening up for new partnership.”