YALE has announced it is bringing 50 jobs to Derwentside following a move from the Midlands.

Yale Door and Window Solutions, part of global lock group Assa Abloy, has refurbished its premises on the Castleside Industrial Estate, in Consett, which were formerly leased to stairlift manufacturer Bison Bede.

The facility produces multi-point locking systems for window and door manufacturers in the UK, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe.

The company employs 35 staff in County Durham at sites in Consett and Chilton.

Derwentside Development Agency (Dida), advised on the move and support also came from County Durham Development Company (CDDC), and Derwentside District Council.

The new facility will focus on providing a total hardware solution tailored to individual requirements.

Customers include Pennine, Anglian, Everest and Warmseal.

Managing director Andrew Mee said: "It made sense to transfer the multi-point operation here and to form a smaller, more focused business unit that enables us to respond to customer requirements very quickly.

"The quality of the workforce in Derwentside was one of the major attractions for us and the entire team has worked really hard to get the company operational within an impressive time scale."

He said: "With the growth in demand for PVC doors and windows, we are confident that there is considerable potential for this product and this site also gives us scope for expansion."

Steve Armstrong, business advisor for Dida, said: "This has to be good news for Derwentside. Up to 50 jobs have been brought into the district by a global group that is the market leader in its field and it has also led to the refurbishment of factory premises that were vacant.

"This is an excellent example of business support agencies working together with both Derwentside District Council and County Durham Development Company supporting the project."

John Pearson, director of development for Derwentside council, said: "Yale arriving in Derwentside can only be good news for the district as a whole and is testament to the close working partnerships Derwentside District Council has with other business support agencies, to help attract world leaders to the area."

Stewart Watkins, executive director of CDDC, said: "We are delighted to have been instrumental in securing this valuable new investment for County Durham. It is an endorsement of the county as a business location and, once again, the workforce has shown that it has the skills and flexibility to aid business development."