A FAMILY-RUN North-East glass business has been bought by an investment group.

Brownhills Investments says it has taken on Peterlee Glass, in east Durham.

Bosses say the move, supported by £2.9m from the Business Growth Fund (BGF), will strengthen Brownhills’ glass division across the UK by increasing specialist glass supplies to architects and builders.

Peterlee Glass was founded in 1977 by the Hawes family, and makes glass doors, screens, shop fronts and balustrades, carrying out projects for hospitals, airports and universities.

Employing about 30 workers, it supplied glass panels for the MetroCentre and Eldon Square, and has also worked in Germany and France.

Graeme Hawes, managing director of Peterlee Glass, said: “Peterlee Glass has established itself as one of the UK’s leading glass suppliers. More recently we have been looking for a partner to take the business to the next level and there is no doubt that the Brownhills Group has the knowledge and enthusiasm to take the company forward.

“We embrace this acquisition and look forward to Peterlee Glass playing a role in the Brownhills Group and investment here at Peterlee which will see the business continue to grow.

“It’s business as usual at Peterlee Glass and I remain as managing director. “

Nick Harrison, Brownhill Investments’ executive chairman, hailed the deal as an important move in its growth. He said: “We’ve held Peterlee in high regard for a number of years and they share the same philosophies in how to go about business in the right way.

“Its reputation for processing quality and customer service is very much aligned to our own priorities and I’m excited about the prospect of adding their skills and knowledge to the group.

“BGF’s growth capital has afforded us the freedom to continue to expand.

“We wanted a financial backer that could offer long-term, flexible support without taking control, and BGF was able to fit that brief exactly.”

Brownhills employs 120 staff across its subsidiaries in glass technician, designer, surveyor and installation roles.

Its move for Peterlee Glass comes after similar agreements for operations across the UK, including a partnership with Chelverton Asset Management to buy Tufwell Glass, which worked on the Shard, in London.

Last year, The Northern Echo reported how Peterlee Glass had spent more than £500,000 on new machinery, and was looking for more staff to strengthen its industry position.

At the time, Graeme Hawes, managing director, said: “Things have gone from strength to strength and we’re now enjoying real success.

“Our reputation is spreading far and wide and we're finding that in addition to our numerous North-East contracts, we’re securing more work overseas.

“It's exciting to think where we will be this time next year.”

BGF works to support the UK’s growing businesses and is backed by Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, and Standard Chartered.