A NORTH-EAST technology firm will complete its expansion into China later this month, bosses have said.

Stadium Group, which employs more than 130 staff in Hartlepool, says its Asian base will be a centre of excellence to complement its regional site.

The firm designs and makes vehicle control panels, wireless devices and electronic displays, and, in an update for the six months to June 30, said trading was ahead of last year.

It added it anticipates growth in its technology products division to continue this year.

A spokesman said: “The relocation to a new facility in China will significantly enhance the group’s technical capability.

“That is progressing well and is on plan to be completed this month.”

Speaking to The Northern Echo earlier this year, Charlie Peppiatt, Stadium’s chief executive, said the days of UK firms moving work to China simply to cut costs are over.

He said companies have to be more focused on suiting customers’ local demand.

Mr Peppiatt added: “It is about serving the local market because customers want local services; we have moved on significantly from the days of shifting things out to China to save costs.

“We had a site in south China that we took on in 2000, but it’s now a little tired so we exercised our right on a lease option and have moved to a more appropriate base.

“Having centres of excellence in both regions is helping us strengthen the business on both sides of the globe.”

Stadium previously closed a sister plant in Rugby, Warwickshire, moving jobs to Hartlepool, and spent £1m on machinery.