TWO of the region's manufacturers have launched recruitment drives as part of ambitious expansion plans.

Cymru Welsh Water has placed a £1.6m order for Sayers Road Tankers in Northallerton for 25 tankers that will be used to maintain water supplies when burst pipes or other problems hit its network. It is the biggest order won in the North Yorkshire firm's ten year history.

It follows an announcement that Wessington Cryogenics is expanding into new premises in Sunderland and creating 30 jobs after winning new global contracts.

The company, that makes specialist gas storage tanks for the likes of the Ministry of Defence and Nasa, is opening the new unit in addition to its premises at Rainton Bridge, Houghton-le-Spring. The company employs about 120 workers and 80 per cent of its products are exported.

Sayers Tanker's record deal was backed by Yorkshire Bank's Tees Valley Financial Solutions Centre (FSC), as part of its Investing for Growth initiative. The company employs 51 staff and is a £6m turnover operation.

Cliff Sayers, the managing director and company founder, said: "This is our biggest-ever single one-off contract which has created and secured jobs and allowed us to push ahead with expansion plans

"We are completing five new manufacturing bays at our existing site at Leeming Bar Industrial Estate, which represents a 30 per cent increase in our shop-floor space, and we have put in planning application for a new five-bay workshop 200 yards away which will become operational by the autumn and will create at least a further five jobs.

"We required funding from Yorkshire Bank to buy raw materials to start work on this major contract due to the tight timescale, and Yorkshire Bank has been first class for us.

"We've continued to expand our business with regard to road tanker manufacture and hire with a range of contracts during the economic downturn due to the quality of our services and facilities."

Sayers Tankers, founded by managing director, Cliff Sayers in 1992, The company supports major transport operations by manufacturing and repairing tanks and tankers and providing a hire service.

David Jeffery, business partner at Yorkshire Bank Tees Valley FSC, said: "Sayers Tankers is a first-rate manufacturing enterprise which is what the UK needs more of, and Yorkshire Bank is pleased to have backed the company with this major order and helped to create jobs locally."