AN engineering company is nearly doubling its workforce thanks to a £600,000 investment.

ALM Products, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has used the money to buy three companies to secure its capacity and production facilities, with the help of a grant from regional development agency One NorthEast.

ALM managing director Tony Thompson said: "We have enjoyed solid growth over the past decade and have a strong platform on which to develop the business into other market sectors.

"We have set a goal to double our turnover by 2006 and I am confident that we have the infrastructure, expertise and dynamism to achieve it."

The expansion will increase ALM's workforce from 28 to 42 staff.

The three companies acquired are Spraytech Surface Finishes Limited, High Class Coatings and Amech Engineering Limited.

Mr Thompson said the acquisitions would enable ALM to improve margins and maintain its competitive position, by helping it to be innovative and thereby differentiate its products from those of competitors.

ALM was recently named employer of the year by the County Durham Development Company.

Published: 07/12/2004