AN ITALIAN gasket-maker is tripling its Teesside workforce as part of a million-pound relocation.

Ilpea, based in Skelton, plans to take on 74 staff, taking employee numbers to 120, in time for its move to a 1,000sq-metre factory.

Thirty people have already been recruited and the firm hopes to take on the other 44 before the end of the year.

The company received £245,000 Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) money from regional development agency One NorthEast towards the move, which will cost more than £1m.

Middlesbrough chartered accountants and business advisors Keith Robinson and Company worked with Ilpea's senior management in the UK and Italy to secure the funding.

Ilpea manufactures rubber and plastic gaskets used in a wide range of white goods and kitchen appliances such as fridges, ovens and washing machines.

Founded in 1960, it has about 4,000 employees around the world and had a turnover for the year ending October last year of £253m. The Skelton operation is its sole presence in the UK.

The Italian firm bought the Skelton factory from its previous owners Trelleborg in April last year, after the Swedish firm decided to sell up and focus on its core automotive business.

The plant has proved an attractive addition for the Italian company, as it already has a strong relationship with many white goods manufacturers in the UK, a large number of which are now Italian-owned.

David Cadman, general manager of Ilpea in the UK, said: "This new factory will give us the increased capacity we need to meet the growing demand for our products across the UK.

"We are investing in new jobs and state-of-the-art technology that will ensure that we are providing the best and most effective service for our customers across the country."

Ian Williams, One NorthEast business finance manager, said: "Ilpea's expansion is great news for Skelton and the east Cleveland area.

"This is an excellent example of a forward-thinking company - prepared to invest in manufacturing and its people. I am pleased that One NorthEast, through the RSA scheme, was able to play a key part in influencing the company to proceed with this investment and I am sure that Ilpea will play an important role in the local economy for many years to come."