AN engineering firm is to create 200 jobs, doubling its workforce, after securing hundreds of millions of pounds of advance orders for its technology for reducing truck emissions.

County Durham based GT Group said a further 200 jobs at its plants across the region would be secured by advance orders worth £200m for its engine emission control systems.

It comes as the North-East aims to place itself as an international centre for low carbon industries based around transport and energy.

By 2012 the haulage industry will have to meet stringent new standards on emissions and orders have come in from as far afield as the US, Japan and Russia.

Geoff Turnbull, GT Group chairman, said: “We have the top companies in the world using our equipment which speaks for itself; 97 per cent of our business is exports.”

He said: “With the EU and international governments imposing tough regulations on transport emissions, vehicle manufacturers around the world are sourcing new technologies to deliver improved vehicle performance and environmental sustainability.

“We have now achieved a massive £200m of forward sales for these products after years of sustained investment in research and development.”

Regional development agency One North East is to contribute £2m over the next three years towards GT’s £10m research and development programmes and Mr Turnbull also praised Durham County Council for its support.

The jobs will be created over four years with a particular emphasis on research, design and engineering.

The main beneficiary of the new work will be its plant on the Whitehouse Business Park, in Peterlee, but there will be knock-on effects for its other operations such as its coatings division in Newton Aycliffe, machining centre in Consett, seals division on the South West Industrial Estate, in Peterlee, and fabrication facility in Sunderland.

Mr Turnbull said: “The other facilities will benefit, we will need seals for the components, specialist coatings for products.”

It will be a particular fillip for east Durham, which has been badly hit by the economic downturn in the vehicle industry.

Last year, Japanese manufacturer NSK said it would close one of its three Peterlee factories, making steering systems for the motor industry, with the loss of 160 jobs.

TRW Automotive, which announced last week it was planning to close a plant making engine valves in Washington, Wearside, in May, with the potential loss of 187 jobs, last year made a number of redundancies at its Peterlee plant.

Mr Turnbull said: “It was a sad story to see so many companies making redundancies, but is an opportunity for us to take on people and give them opportunities to work with us.

“We are also looking to take on some younger people and graduates. It is good news right across the board.”

Ian Williams, director of business and industry at One North East, said: “GT Group is investing in exactly the research and development that will enable the North-East to exploit new opportunities in the emerging markets for products designed to tackle the challenges of climate change.”