PLASTIC injection moulding company NEYR has achieved a quality standard for its staff development.

The company's belief in structured training for its staff was instrumental in it achieving QS9000 accreditation.

The internationally recognised standard has been driven by the major players in the automotive industry, which accounts for 60 per cent of the Peterlee firm's business. The accreditation means that the firm's customers can have complete confidence in all aspects of NEYR UK's production process.

It is one stage on from the guarantee of quality embodied in the ISO9000 standard, already achieved by the company.

NEYR UK is a subsidiary of French industrial conglomerate Groupe Neyr.

The company set up the Peterlee plant in 1995 to supply plastic parts to locally-based customers in the automotive and plastics sector.

Its customers include Peugeot, Samsung and Black & Decker. The quality accreditation follows other major developments at the firm, which has recently invested £750,000 in a 2,000-tonne injection moulding machine.

The new equipment will ensure that NEYR UK can meet the requirements of its customers in the automotive sector.

Plant manager at the Peterlee factory, Chris Pennison, said: "Both of these developments are customer- driven and are great news for our company.

"They keep us on track to support our customers both old and new, and the investment is proof of the confidence that our French parent company has in our high-quality workforce."

County Durham Development Company (CDDC) played a key role in attracting Neyr to Peterlee and has been on hand ever since to provide business development support.

Phil Eadon, director of marketing at CDDC, said: "The ongoing success of NEYR UK's Peterlee operation more than justifies its decision to locate in the county.

"The region's best advertisement for attracting future inward investment is the achievements of the companies already here.

"The company has repeatedly shown efficiency, astute business practice and sound commercial sense."

He added: "NEYR UK is a prime example of the potential for business growth in County Durham."