A NORTH-EAST engineering company has won a sevenyear contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide pressure washers to Army and Navy operations around the world.

Ruck Engineering has already worked with the MoD, most recently on a five-year contract to supply cleaning solutions, which ran out last year. The latest deal was won in a tendering process.

The family-owned Darlington company is hoping the MoD contract will be a platform for it to win more major work.

As part of the MoD deal, Ruck Engineering has delivered more than 500 products to bases in Iraq, Afghanistan Cyprus, the Falklands and to Army barracks in Hereford.

The recently-awarded contract centres on the supply of the MAC Avant hot high-pressure washers, which are regarded as the most reliable on the market and will be used to clean military vehicles and other equipment.

Simon Ruck, managing director of Ruck Engineering, on Yarm Road Industrial Estate, said the contract was a major coup for the firm and the region.

“To have secured a sevenyear contract with the MoD is a fantastic achievement for our company,” he said.

“That such a high-profile and important worldwide contract is being serviced from the North-East is testament to the region’s engineering capability and commitment to delivering the highest quality products and services.”

Mr Ruck, who now runs Ruck Engineering, which was founded by his father, Jim, in 1978, said the business was adapting well to the economic downturn.

“As a result of the current challenging economic climate we have adapted our business model and are working to increase our portfolio of larger national accounts, while consolidating our existing business in the North-East,” he said.

“The insights that we are gaining nationally are of great benefit to the region, as we can add value through our experience in the national marketplace and innovate and enhance our service offering for our local customers.”

The company, which started life as Jim Ruck Limited, has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and now employs 15 people at its premises, having expanded out of its previous base in Cockerton in March 2006.