ENGINEERING company the Tanfield Group has reported progress in two of its divisions.

The company, based in Stanley, County Durham has more than doubled its international network of distributors for its powered access platforms.

The platforms, known as cherry pickers, are widely used for working at height in industries such as construction, estates management, forestry and aircraft maintenance.

Tanfield acquired Aerial Access as part of the Gateshead-based Smiths Electric Vehicles Group (SEV), in October last year. It has since moved all former SEV manufacturing operations to Stanley.

More than 90 per cent of Aerial Access sales are exports, mainly to the US and Australia.

Tanfield has spent the past year marketing the platforms across Europe, including taking one of the biggest stands at industry show Apex, held in Maastricht, Holland, in September.

The Tanfield Group, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market, is planning a drive next year in the domestic powered access market.

Demand for access platforms in the UK is expected to grow significantly, after the introduction this year of health and safety regulations governing working at height.

Tanfield also announced that it has developed battery-powered tow tractors that will begin field trials next month.

The vehicles, sold under the Jumbotugs brand, are used in airports for pulling baggage trains.

Zero emission vehicles are increasingly in demand at airports as tighter legislation governing emissions is introduced.