A NORTH-EAST engineering firm behind some of the world's most famous landmarks is smashing all records as it continues to buck the economic trend.

Bridge builder Cleveland Bridge will this week roll out more than 1,000 tonnes of fabricated steel from its Darlington base - the largest amount in its history.

The company, which has already revealed future plans to float, was the subject of an £8.4m management buy-out from former owner Kvaerner last June.

Cleveland Bridge's seven- strong management team, who invested their own money in the firm, have quickly turned its fortunes around.

From reportedly being on the verge of closure before the buy-out it expects to double its turnover to $400m (£283m) next year.

The bright outlook for Cleveland Bridge contrasts with gloomy warnings over the state of the North-East manufacturing sector which is in recession.

The Northern Echo revealed last month how up to 10,000 jobs could be axed in the next 12 months as a combination of the strong pound and a global economic slowdown continue to bite.

Unlike Cleveland Bridge, famous names such as shipbuilder Cammell Laird and steelmaker Corus, formerly British Steel, have suffered badly with hundreds of job losses in recent times.

Australian-born Tony Rae, 48, chief executive officer at the Cleveland Group of Companies, said: "People have asked how, with the same people and the same product, we are managing to be so successful.

"Our management approach has been very hands- on and we have achieved confidence, pride and a can-do attitude in our staff.

"The North-East still has an incredible engineering skills base and it is a matter of learning how to sell it worldwide."

Cleveland Bridge, which employs 450 at its site in Yarm Road, Darlington - 650 across the UK - is famous for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and more recently the Jiangyin Bridge over the mighty Yangtze River in China.

Recent projects have included the Boyne Bridge in Ireland and the £118m suspension bridge across the Carquinez river in California.

Mr Rae added: "We are currently bidding for work all over the world and have teams in India, America and Chile.

"You cannot stop building infrastructure and you will always need roads and bridges."

l Cleveland Bridge is launching an employee-wide share option scheme this Friday when Darlington MP Alan Milburn will present share certificates to selected staff.