By Chris Story

Last updated at 15:31, Friday, 15 June 2012

Twenty new jobs have been created following investment at an expanding steel company.

Meltshop manager John Robson

The permanent full-time positions – upping the workforce by 30 per cent – have been created at the Bonds Precision Castings works in Alston.

Executives there have just completed a £250,000 investment programme that they hope will further strengthen their place in the market.

It has allowed them to buy equipment including another furnace capable of melting 109kg of steel in 35 minutes and an oven capable of heating moulds up to 1,000C before molten steel is poured into them.

That increased capacity has come as the company landed a major deal to supply a customer in Japan.

The investment and jobs are a major boost to the rural Cumbrian economy with Bonds Precision Castings the largest employer in a 20-mile radius of Alston, where the need for local employment is one of the key challenges facing the community.

Managing director Andrew Dodd said: “We’re very excited about the opportunities this new investment gives Bonds Precision Castings for further organic growth.”

The company specialises in making castings for the energy industry.

Its growth has been fuelled by strong growth in the international oil and gas sector and the need to repair broken equipment such as pumps, blades, shields and gears.

The new investment means the firm will be able to make its product more quickly, meeting the demands of its customers worldwide.

Mr Dodd added: “Our team of almost 90 people making and selling castings has proven they have the manufacturing skills to produce high quality castings for a competitive international marketplace.”

Bonds Precision Castings is part of the Bonds northern foundry group, which also has business interests in County Durham. In May last year, it was ranked 17th in the Sunday Times’ International Track 100 Private Firms with fastest growing global sales.

First published at 14:11, Friday, 15 June 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk