A LAWNMOWER maker will need to expand its North-East base to deal with growing demand for its products, bosses have claimed.

Husqvarna Group’s vice president Glen Instone says he can see the Newton Aycliffe-based firm increasing the size of its factory as orders continue to flood in for its robotic lawnmowers.

The factory, based at Aycliffe Business Park, has been producing robotic mowers since 2006, many of which are shipped across Europe.

Last week, The Northern Echo reported how Husqvarna celebrated the production of its one millionth automated lawnmower at Aycliffe.

Bosses said it was a first for the industry and a “landmark occasion” for British manufacturing.

Speaking to the Echo at an event to highlight its production milestone, Mr Instone said: “We have the capacity here at Aycliffe to cope for another three years.

“After that, I really can see a need for us to expand.”

Mr Instone also confirmed the company is adding another production line at the end of the year, and is considering a new approach to staffing – a move which would see it increase its number of permanent workers.

The company currently works with a high percentage of seasonal staff, who work on six-month contracts during the first half of the year.

“We do have a lot of seasonal staff, which has its challenges, so we are considering having more of a flat line approach,” said Mr Instone.

“This would mean we have more permanent staff working throughout the year, and therefore more regular productivity, which would ease the burden during times of high demand.”

Earlier this year, the Echo exclusively revealed Husqvarna was taking on around 800 temporary staff to meet the seasonal demand at its 130,000sq metre base.

The company also confirmed it still intends to fill 75 permanent posts at its Aycliffe site.

Mr Instone said technology, which has been developed at Aycliffe, is being used in a water sprinkling system that is being manufactured in Europe and has recently come onto the market.

Bosses say the Gardena Sport System allows consumers to reduce water consumption by as much as 70 per cent.

Mr Instone said the new equipment is further evidence the company is “revolutionising gardening”.

“We have had some really positive feedback,” he added.

Caraline Robinson, manufacturing director at Husqvarna, added there was “a lot of exciting things on the horizon”.

She also refused to rule out the possibility of the company exploring other further industry sectors in the future.