A 25-YEAR-OLD family-run welding machine maker has maintained its growth after securing a £1m contract.

Lamba Welding Systems, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has won a major deal with a North-East floor manufacturer supplying the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

The contract comes after The Northern Echo last year revealed Lamba, which supplies and repairs welding machinery, had won work in the Czech Republic and Singapore.

The firm's equipment was integral to making temporary fencing for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and has also been used to make shopping trolleys and dishwasher baskets.

It has now moved into 20,000sq ft premises on Richmond's Gallowfield Trading Estate to continue its expansion and meet increasing demand, and was helped by a £30,000 grant as part of the Government's flagship Regional Growth Fund scheme.

The expansion comes after Lamba, which employs 16 workers, acquired a 60-year-old micro welder business from Rymer Engineering, in Keighley, West Yorkshire, which bosses say are smaller machines operated by spring and wire product makers.

It also secured a deal for the 30-year-old friction saw division of M and M Webb, in Northamptonshire, to enhance its work on industrial flooring welding machines.

Brian Bates, the company's founder and managing director, runs the business with wife Julie, and said its expansion was supported by accountants and business advisers Clive Owen and Co, in Darlington, and Natwest.

He said: “We’re delighted to be in the new building, the move has been a major step for us, but was essential for our business development.

“The support we have received from Clive Owen and Co and NatWest has been excellent.

“Their help and expertise meant we had funding for the project and have made other major savings.”

Neville Baldry, a partner with Clive Owen and Co, helped Lamba with its grant and submitted a successful claim for research and development tax credits.

The company also prepared forecasts and projections to support the project.

He said: “It’s great news about the new contract win and this just underpins the quality of work they are producing.

“In recent years, there have been very few opportunities for businesses in North Yorkshire to access grant funding of this type, so we’re delighted to secure this for Lamba.”