A FAMILY-RUN glass business says it will create new jobs in an expansion supported by a multi-million pound takeover.

Peterlee Glass (PLG), in east Durham, aims to strengthen links to international markets after being bought by Brownhills Investments.

The Northern Echo reported Brownhills’ takeover announcement earlier this month, with Graeme Hawes, PLG’s managing director, saying at the time the move would have no negative impact on its future.

He has now issued a blueprint reiterating the firm’s growth ambitions from the deal, which includes increasing its workforce from 30 staff to 35 people by the end of the year.

Mr Hawes said: “This will be an exciting year for us and we have ambitions to expand into new markets nationally and internationally and increase our workforce.

“Becoming part of the Brownhills’ portfolio is massive opportunity.

“We wanted a financial backer that could offer long-term, flexible support without taking control.

“Brownhills was aware of us, and we knew they were expanding, so it was a natural fit.”

Founded in 1977 by the Hawes family, PLG makes glass doors, screens, shop fronts and balustrades, carrying out projects for hospitals, airports and universities.

It has also supplied glass panels for the MetroCentre and Eldon Square, counts Primark and TK Maxx as customers, and has worked in Germany and France.

Last year, The Northern Echo reported how the company spent more than £500,000 on new machinery, and Mr Hawes said Brownhills’ support would allow it to go even further.

He added: “Last year was a big year for us in terms of our growth and with this investment we can continue that on a bigger scale.

“Customers won't see any difference in our day-to-say service, and it is business as usual with me and the same team around me.”

Bosses at Brownhills say the acquisition of PLG, supported by £2.9m from the Business Growth Fund, will strengthen its UK glass division by increasing specialist supplies to architects and builders.

Employing 120 staff across subsidiaries in glass technician, designer, surveyor and installation roles, Brownhills has other similar agreements to its PLG deal, including a partnership with Chelverton Asset Management to buy Tufwell Glass, which worked on the Shard, in London.

Nick Harrison, Brownhill Investments’ executive chairman, added: “We’ve held PLG in high regard for a number of years and they share the same philosophies in how to go about business in the right way.”