ENGINEERING company The Tanfield Group has marked the end of a "transformational" six months for the firm by announcing its profits have more than trebled.

The Wearside electric vehicle maker revealed yesterday that its pre-tax profit soared 209 per cent to £5.4m in the half-year to June 30, with a 120 per cent increase in turnover from £16.5m last year to £36.8m.

Chief executive Darren Kell predicted further strong growth in the months ahead as Tanfield increases its presence in the $4bn US zero-emission market and continues to increase production at its base in Washington, adding at least another 40 jobs to its workforce of about 700.

Tanfield also revealed yesterday its Smith Electric Vehicles division had agreed a deal with Ford to introduce a zero-emission Transit van into the US market, with the model being used as the body for Smith's Edison vehicle.

The company, which has a record forward order book of £6.1m to the end of the year, hailed the development as a "big step" in increasing its presence in the US, with about 1,000 of the models expected to be made each year, generating up to £40m for Tanfield.

In June, the firm bought US aerial platform maker Snorkel for £50m, making it the world's third-biggest powered access vehicle maker, and which Tanfield said was providing important opportunities for its core UpRight Powered Access division.

Tanfield revealed to The Northern Echo earlier this year that, to meet demand, it planned to invest £30m in two factories in the US, the first of which is expected to be operational by next year.

Yesterday, Mr Kell said the US, as well as the operation of its Vigo Centre base, on Wearside, would be crucial in the continued growth of Tanfield.

"The integration of Snorkel has progressed very smoothly and, at this early stage, we are already demonstrating the cross-selling opportunity, with further global sales growth possible," he said.

"The outlook for both key divisions remains extremely healthy. The UpRight division, significantly strengthened by the acquisition of Snorkel, is poised for a new phase of sales growth, the profitability of which will be underpinned by further cost savings from production synergies.

"Our Smith division remains a market leader, providing unique products that are attractive to major fleet operators in the UK, US and mainland Europe.

"The foundations are now in place for further strong organic growth in the second half of 2007 and beyond.