A CAR parts maker aims to continue its growth after carrying out a multi-million pound redevelopment.

Gestamp Tallent has spent £5m to improve one of its plants, and plans to spend a further £1m on another site.

The company, which makes chassis and supplies parts to Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and BMW, says the 12-month project on its Plant One has delivered a new 45,500sq ft press hall and parts store.

Bosses added the changes also include two new presses and racking to store products.

The firm, which employs more than 1,300 workers, operates five plants in Aycliffe, and worked with Newcastle-based Silverstone Building Consultancy, main contractor Howard Russell Construction and engineers Shed and Sine Consulting.

Peter Gallone, Gestamp Tallent plant director, said: “As our business and customer base continues to expand, we need to ensure assembly lines and production facilities are renewed to increase efficiency and output.

“This latest phase of development is part of a long-term investment strategy to renew some of the older facilities on site.

“The redevelopment of Plant One has provided us with another manufacturing facility to mirror Plant Five.

“Silverstone have proven to be a valuable partner.”

Silverstone, which will manage the £1m redevelopment of another factory, previously oversaw construction of the £8m Plant Five back in 2012, which gave Gestamp an extra 185,000sq ft of space.

Richard Farrey, Silverstone director, added: “Gestamp are one of our longest standing and most valued clients.

“We have developed an excellent understanding of their manufacturing systems over the past few years, which has enabled us to tailor our services to their specific needs.

“Winning these instructions has given the team here a fantastic opportunity to showcase our project management skills on large-scale construction projects.”

Gestamp also supplies parts to Ford, Nissan and Honda, and is one of County Durham’s largest employers.