AN expanding engineering company is installing new machinery thanks to a £35,000 grant from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE).

The grant has enabled KC Engineering, of Consett, County Durham, to buy equipment that will help the company move ahead in a highly competitive market and look to the Middle East for new business. The metallurgical engineer and consultant, established in 1983, specialises in white metal bearings.

Its customers are major players in the offshore, marine engineering and power generation industries.

Alan Rigney, managing director of KC Engineering, said: "The machinery will help to make us more cost-effective in a very competitive market and has been installed in the new extension to our factory on the Delves Lane Industrial Estate.

"The support from UK Steel Enterprise has played an important role in our recent expansion which has involved a total investment package of more than £750,000 and seen the number of employees increase from 35 to 49."

Nick Johnson, regional executive for UKSE, said: "We were set up to help regenerate steel areas, so Derwentside is an important area for us in the region. We have every confidence that KC Engineering will go from strength to strength."