AN ENGINEERING company is expanding after turnover increased tenfold in only three years.

Teescraft Engineering, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has increased its turnover from £120,000 in 2002, to £1.3m last year.

The rise follows a management buyout of the company in 2002, led by present managing director Robert Yorke.

Mr Yorke, who began as an apprentice in 1987, said: "We are growing rapidly.

"We are committed to employing young, local people and, although we have taken on some experienced machinists, we have a very young workforce.

"They are a dynamic workforce, they work well together, and the way we have grown is testament to the work they have put in."

The company makes machined components for the automotive industry. Its major client is engine manufacturer Cummins and it produces components for its Darlington plant, along with others in the Cummins group in Europe, the US, Mexico and Brazil.

Teescraft, based on the South Church Enterprise Park, is taking on a nearby unit, increasing its floor space to 1,250 square metres.

It has recruited four staff, taking the workforce to 28, and invested £700,000 in computer-controlled machinery to improve productivity.

Company director Cliff Laverick, formerly technical director at watercooler maker Ebac, said: "The rapid growth that we have experienced has been down, in part, to increased investment.

"We have invested almost £700,000 in new machinery and that has been crucial to our growth."

The company has been supported by regional development agency One NorthEast, Wear Valley District Council and County Durham Development Company (CDDC) - the business support operation of Durham County Council.

John Russell, CDDC business services officer, said: "Companies like Teescraft are an essential part of the county's diverse economic base.

"Its growth is testament to the value of creating the right infrastructure to get fledgling companies off to a flying start."