WORKERS at a North-East digger maker are looking forward to testing themselves against international rivals after impressing in a competition.

Komatsu, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, held the Technology Olympics for staff to show off their skills.

Bosses said more than 100 people, including welders, painters, assembly staff and testers competed for a place in the global finals of the Komatsu Technology Olympics, in Japan, later this year.

Paul Blanchard, Komatsu UK manufacturing director, said: “The benefits of the Olympics are many; from the promotion of skills to the ethos of continuous improvement.

“We bring in guests, including senior representatives from business groups, such as the North East Automotive Alliance and CBI, and from the world of education, we even welcomed representatives from the Armed Forces.

“Hopefully, a few left inspired by the effort, skill and talent on display.

“As an industry we must always look to attract the next generation of engineers and we might play a small part in spiking the interest of young people who are considering their first step on the career ladder.”

About 80 people attended the event, which included a tour of the Birtley plant, demonstrations of Komatsu’s fleet and an awards ceremony.

Winners included Kris Malloy, who was rewarded for his welding; Steve Chapman, who picked up an award for painting; Owen Outterside, for assembly; and Richard Taylor, for machine inspection.

Mr Taylor, who was also successful last year, said: “While there is an obvious competitive nature to the Olympics, most of us are competing against ourselves.

“The emphasis is not only on speed, but also on quality – and you do feel a certain amount of pressure to deliver in front of your peers.

“It’s great to win the event two years in succession and I’m genuinely looking forward to making up part of the Komatsu UK team competing against the rest of the world at the main event in Japan, in October.”

Organiser Paul Gardner, who works as production manager, said: “Congratulations to Kris, Steve, Owen and Richard who will fly the flag for Komatsu UK against some of the most talented and skilled technicians in the worldwide Komatsu group.”