A SEALANTS manufacturer has announced plans to nearly double sales following a buyout.

The Alfas Group, in Washington, Wearside, has been bought by German company illbruck.

From March, the plant will operate under the name illbruck Sealant Systems UK Limited.

The new owners plan to boost turnover from £12m a year to £20m by 2010.

Set up in 1981, Alfas supplies sealants, adhesives, glazing tapes and movement joints to the building, glazing, roofing and flooring industries.

It employs about 80 people in the North-East and at its sister site in Leicestershire.

A new chief executive will be appointed to expand the UK business.

Gerald Stern, one of the founders of Alfas, remains with the company as non-executive chairman of the UK board.

Mr Stern said: "We are committed to the continued growth of our business and believe these changes will further strengthen our position as one of the UK and European market leaders in our field.

"Being part of an international group has many advantages in terms of access to innovative new products and technical support."