MANUFACTURING business Fin Machine is creating 30 jobs after winning new contracts.

The Sedgefield machinery and tool manufacturer is increasing its workforce of 180 as a result of winning an order to supply equipment to automotive parts supplier Visteon's operations in the UK, US and Czech Republic.

The £4.5m contract, expected to take six months to complete, is the largest won by the company.

Fin's recent success in the export market has been reinforced by a signing of a global contract with French group Valeo, the largest supplier of car radiators to the automotive sector.

The three-year contract will cover operations in the US, South America, Europe, China and Japan.

The last quarter has also seen Fin secure orders in China, the US and UK totalling £1.6m.

Although Fin's focus is mainly on the automotive sector, it has recently broken into a new market, with the securing of a contract to supply electronic cooling systems manufacturer Honeywell.

Fin's managing director James Marriner is delighted with the company's progress.

He said: "Despite the general consensus that the manufacturing industry in the UK and particularly the North-East, is in decline, Fin is breaking all targets and creating new jobs.

"This is due firstly to the fact that the products we manufacture are designed to meet market needs and provide considerable savings in manufacturing processes.

"That is a very attractive proposition for any prospective customer, particularly those in competitive markets such as the automotive sector.

"Secondly, our products are cutting edge, developed after continued investment in advanced technology and research and development."