A CONSTRUCTION and steel fabrication firm is creating jobs as bosses revel in a booming order book.

Raisco wants welders and fabricators to build on multi-million pound contracts.

The company also plans to strengthen its management team and has bought new machinery to increase production as it closes in on record turnover.

The business’ order book includes making and erecting 450 tonnes of steel for a London Lidl store and support for a 160-tonne Glasgow apartment block.

It is also working with STP Construction on a 40-tonne extension in Stanley, County Durham, and building firm Tolent on a Sunderland Lidl shop.

Gary Raistrick, managing director, said the projects have put Raisco, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on course to top its previous record of £7.5m annual turnover.

He also revealed the company has invested in a new saw and drill line, which will allow it to cut steel beams more efficiently, to meet higher demand.

He said: “The line is substantially larger than your standard rollers in the UK.

“It will make us quicker in turning projects around and it will also make us more competitive in the market place.

“It’s part of our forward-planning for the business and we expect it to increase input by 35 per cent, so it’s a really significant investment and an important new tool for us.

“We’re looking to take on four or five staff on the shop floor and are actively looking for fabricators and welders.

“We’re also in the process of appointing some key people at management level.”

Mr Raistrick revealed he is appointing a new board of directors to drive Raisco’s growth.

He added the company, which last year secured a contract to support the building of a school on the Outer Hebrides, off Scotland’s west coast, has picked up nearly £1m of work in recent weeks.

Mr Raistrick said: “Our order book is looking healthy at the moment and we have a lot of work in the pipeline.

“We’ve already won £5.3m-worth of contracts this financial year and would expect to surpass our previous best annual turnover of £7.5m this current year.”

Raisco was previously awarded a contract to build a new Lidl store in Crook, County Durham.