A COUNTY Durham polymer company hopes its £100,000 investment in technology will fire it ahead of European competitors.

Derwentside-based Lamplas has invested the cash in casting technology to enable it to produce bathroom and kitchen fittings at about a third of the cost of the traditional manufacturing method.

The polymer engineering company can now produce granite or glass-effect sinks, shower trays, bowls, shower screens, fire surrounds and even wall panels at a much cheaper cost.

Two new employees have been supervising the installation and commissioning of the equipment and further jobs will be created as production steps up.

Lamplas has been supplying glass fibre components to caravan and holiday-home manufacturers including Lunar and Pennine, for more than 35 years.

The company specialises in the design, development and manufacture of components ranging from front and rear end panels, roofs and wheel arches to shower cubicles, baths and sinks.

It now employs more than 100 people at two sites in Consett.

Earlier this financial year it doubled the size of one of its moulding departments and has seen turnover increase by 25 per cent to £5m with further increases forecast for the next financial year.