NORTH-EAST engineering company Dorman Long Technology (DLT) has appointed its Chinese general manager to the board.

Dr Hongyi Tao is manager of DLT China and has helped bring in business for the company in East Asia.

DLT provides heavy lifting and consulting services on many of the biggest bridge projects in China, including the Sutong cable stayed bridge, near Shanghai, and the Chao TianMen arch bridge, in Chongqing, both world record spans on completion.

Dr Tao obtained an MSc in Structural Engineering at South West Jiaotong University, China, before working for the China Academy of Railway Sciences for four years.

He was then selected to study for a PhD in Structural Engineering at the University of Salford.

After gaining his PhD he joined Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge, DLT's sister company, in 1997 to work on the construction of the Jiangyin suspension bridge in China.

Commenting on the new appointment, DLT managing director, David Dyer said: "Dr Tao joins the board of directors at an exciting time in our company's history. The next few years will see a large expansion in our operations, particularly in the Middle East and Far East heavy lifting markets, and Dr Tao's drive and expertise will be a valuable asset to the board."