A FIRM at the forefront of the North-East construction industry aims to create more jobs after funding helped strengthen its order book.

Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental, in Meadowfield, near Durham City, now employs more than 30 workers and has seen turnover increase 25 per cent to £2.8m.

The company has also heightened its national presence, with projects in The Isle of Lewis, in The Hebrides, and Berkshire town Slough, as well as work at Newcastle’s Science City.

The firm, which carries out groundworks to assess areas’ suitability for commercial or industrial development, received a grant from Investment for Growth to help secure ISO accreditations and target larger contracts.

Ann Izatt-Lowry, operations director, told The Northern Echo it had fought back from the difficulties of the recession, confirming the company was targeting more national successes while staying true to its North-East roots.

She said: “We are at the forefront of the construction sector because we see the start of everything.

“That’s why, in 2012, we were really starting to feel the pinch of the recession because it’s no secret the construction sector was one of the first to take a massive hit.

“To protect our business and grow in the future, we identified the need for ISOs in the quality management system and environmental management system marques.

“A lot of the contracts in the region, especially the public sector, required these, so if we wanted to be in with a chance of winning business, we needed them.”

Ms Izatt-Lowry, who revealed a handful of further workers will soon start at the company, said it was proud of its regional base and its contribution to the area’s business landscape.

She added: “The majority of our work is in the North-East and Yorkshire but we have also secured work in the Isle of Lewis and Slough.

“We are more of a national firm now and hope to continue that while staying in the North-East.

“Hitachi is celebrated for coming to the region and Nissan is always on the news, but we feel good here and are optimistic for the future.

“There is a lot of development in the North-East, which has been good for us, and we’re in a stronger position than ever before to tender for bigger contracts and win the work.”

Kate Ward, Investment for Growth business adviser, added: “The ISO accreditation has enabled Dunelm to win more contracts and focused their approach to become much leaner, resulting in improved profit margins.”