AN industrial mask maker is strengthening its international prominence with work for Asian car companies.

3M, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, says a new production line to make filters for its range of specialist masks is now fully operational.

The filtration is also used in vehicle air conditioning around the world, bolstering the firm’s presence in the automotive sector, where it is already known for car polishes, soaps and wax.

The company employs 320 staff at its Heighington Lane base, which is home to US conglomerate 3M’s global personal protection division.

It is relied upon to produce millions of masks every year to stop users inhaling dangerous dust and vapours.

Bosses previously made it the leader for designing and developing products for manufacturers across Russia, Turkey and Poland.

Colin MacLeod, site manager, told The Northern Echo its filters reiterated the company’s confidence in its North-East workforce.

He said: “Over the years, the plant has lived through a number of changes because it has embraced and adapted.

“It’s all about doing what we can do deliver growth and engagement is a critical word.

“The workforce is very important to that and nothing is impossible.

“The average length of service is 22 years; staff are good to us and we are good to them.

“With the filter work, we serve quite a large automotive market in Asia, which includes some of the major car makers, but we also sell in Europe.

“Growth will come from the extension of our core work and we have a relentless pursuit for that.”

Mr MacLeod, who is originally from Ayrshire, began his career as a production manager at Aycliffe.

Rising up the ranks, he became manufacturing operations manager at a sister plant in Wroclaw, Poland, before returning to the region.

He added: “Newton Aycliffe is where I learnt my trade, so coming back was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

“The key to a good plant is having the working excellence and knowledge and we have that here.

“You feel the spirit, I’m not from the North-East but it’s something you pick up because it’s so warming.

“But we have a very proud team too.

“Life has been tough with the closures of industries like the coal mines, but the area has dusted itself off and gone again.

“It really is an enjoyable place to be and the time has just flown by.”

Mr MacLeod said the firm’s drive comes from a desire to be the best, which has been reflected in a health and safety honour from the Best Factory Awards and a hat-trick of internal health and safety accolades bestowed by its chief executive.

The company also carries out an internal benchmarking process, which places the Aycliffe factory as one of the best globally.

Mr MacLeod said the latter allows the firm to compare itself against others to continue improving.

He added: “Health and safety is still the foundation of our continued improvements.

“We are uncompromising on it; it is at the core of what we do and embedded in our culture.

“It’s a number one priority and we practice what we preach.”

Last year, The Northern Echo revealed British Army medics training to tackle Ebola were using 3M equipment.

Doctors, nurses and combat technicians relied on the firm’s masks as they prepared to be deployed to Sierra Leone.

The company confirmed the protective equipment, known as the Aura Particulate Respirator 9322+, was designed and made at Aycliffe, with medics training at a converted aircraft hangar at barracks near York.