A 40-YEAR-OLD water treatment specialist is creating North-East jobs after securing a deal with an industry leader.

Conder Aqua Solutions, in Peterlee, east Durham, is working with Canada-based Premier Tech.

The move is expected to take Conder's 89-strong workforce to more than 100 staff.

The company is part of Irish-based waste treatment firm EPS and makes septic tanks, pumps, and filters.

Bosses say the partnership with Premier Tech, which had £300m turnover last year, will double Conder's order book in just four years, making it one of the UK's largest producers of water treatment equipment.

They also expect to launch up to nine new products in the next 18 months and increase activity at the Peterlee plant.

Stuart Wray, Conder Aqua Solutions managing director, said: “This partnership creates a market leading player, bringing together two industry leaders.

“Premier Tech brings its expertise in new technology and Conder brings its pedigree for quality products.

“Both share the same ambition to be the best in the industry.

“For us, it means we can maximise innovation and our manufacturing and distribution capacity.

“However, it will also bring exclusive technologies to the UK market, which will firmly position us as a market leader in our field.”

Conder has worked on a number of North-East projects, including supplying a septic tank to Sailor's Hall, in east Durham, which was built by Admiral Milbanke, relative of Sir Ralph Milbanke of Seaham Hall, as a summer retreat in 1787.

It has also supplied sewage treatment and animal waste storage to farms and homes in County Durham.

Premier Tech operates across the world's horticultural, agricultural, industrial packaging and environmental sectors, working in 22 countries, and has been trading for 90 years.

Henri Ouellet, president of Premier Tech’s environmental technology group, added: “We are very excited about the partnership and the real advantages this will bring to customers across the globe.”