A NORTH-EAST engineer has been given a huge vote of confidence from one of the biggest names in car manufacture, after putting the finishing touches to its new factory expansion.

Nissan has handed DPE Automotive, which this week completed a £2m investment at its Newton Aycliffe site, new contracts to supply the carmaker’s plants in Sunderland, Barcelona and Russia.

Bosses at DPE last week hosted a visit from a team senior Nissan figures who were reportedly “gobsmacked” to see DPE’s rapid progress at first hand.

“They were so impressed we have been invited to tender for another contract with Nissan to start in 2017,” Peter Coates, managing director of DPE Group told The Northern Echo.

Completion of the factory upgrade, which includes a new press shop, robotic welding machines and the raising of the roof to increase capacity, completes a remarkable period at DPE since it was rescued by a management buy-out a year ago.

The firm’s ongoing relationship with key customer Gestamp Tallent has played a huge part in DPE’s turnaround and set it on course to recruit more workers, apprentices, and support the regional automotive supply chain.

The firm now employs 108 staff, 12 apprentices and expects to take on another three apprentices in September, and another 10 to 12 staff next year.

Mr Coates added: “Obviously growth means jobs and we have already converted all of our agency workers now to full time employees and have also recruited recently a new operations manager and three toolmakers to support our growing product portfolio.

“We are also recruiting further apprentices this year to continue to develop the future skills base of the company.

"In the near future we will commence a recruitment program for further skilled and semi skilled positions to support the new projects as they come on stream and expect turnover to increase around 40 per cent and expect the workforce to grow by a similar amount.

“All in all the new press shop has seen us commit to a £2m project for the company and all within only 12 months of concluding the Management Buy out last year.

“Myself and my fellow investors - Andrew Lapping, Rudi Wright and Rivers Capital Partners are all delighted with the progress so far as we have exceeded our original business plan by some 300 per cent in the first year.

“We are travelling to London next week to exhibit at the annual SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) meet the buyer event in Westminster, where we will showcase our North-East manufacturing facility to Jaguar Landrover, Vauxhall and Honda amongst others.”