ARCHITECTURAL aluminium fabricator, AC Yule, is set to double its workforce with a move to new premises.

The Scottish firm, which established a division in the region at the Pallion Industrial Estate in Sunderland, is moving into a purpose-built 15,000sq ft factory at Boldon Business park on South Tyneside.

AC Yule area manager Ian Smith has been helped in the move to new premises by the Tyne and Wear Development Company (TWDC)

Ian said: "TWDC has been on hand to help us develop the business from the very start and this year we have had tremendous support in implementing our growth plans.

"The partnership has worked so well due to the fact that TWDC already has a good understanding of our business needs.

"They were able to pinpoint an ideal site for our development and provided details of the financial backing we could access to further boost resources."

AC Yule supplies and installs architectural aluminium and glazing to commercial companies such as car showrooms and office developments.

The operation serves the English market as well as southern Scotland and has an annual turnover of £3m.

Mr Smith added: "A great deal of research went into the decision to move to the North-East where we identified the demand for a one-stop-shop framing and glazing service.

"It's also enabled us to move into new fields, servicing the market for automatic doors, aluminium fire screens and structural glazing."