FORMER steelworkers are rebuilding their careers at a steel company.

Chris Hunter, Wayne Roberts, Mick Nicol and Mike Sherwood, who all worked at Redcar’s SSI UK, have found employment at family-owned fabrication firm Langtons.

Mr Hunter, a project manager at SSI, is now general manager at Langtons, which is based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and makes handrails, fire escapes and beams for loft conversions.

Mr Roberts and Mr Sherwood have been taken on as platers, with Mr Nicol working as a welder.

“We knew SSI was struggling, but nobody had any idea of how bad things were”, said Mr Hunter, who has been tasked with ensuring Langtons, which has been based in Northallerton for more than 100 years, continues to grow.

He said: “I was out of work for three or four months, but I’d decided I wouldn’t just settle for any job; I wanted to find a position I would be happy in.

“I’ve found that at Langtons; it’s a family-owned company with a helpful and supportive culture.

“We have a reputation for excellence, for looking after our customers and I want to build on that.”

Langtons is part of the Northallerton-based FT Group, which includes construction firms Walter Thompson and Tom Willoughby, as well as George Fordy Properties.

Mr Hunter, who started his career in the steel industry, added: “We provide a lot of steel for our FT Group companies and we want to expand that, as well as looking to grow in the wider market.”

Paul Blades, Langtons’ managing director, said: “Chris’ wide experience in the sector will be an asset for us.”

SSI UK’s collapse into liquidation cost more than 3,000 jobs, with the company’s demise affecting thousands of its own workers and hundreds more in the supply chain.

Last week, Win Viriyaprapaikit, president and chief executive of SSI, claimed steelmaking could return to Teesside, saying the business has been in talks with creditors over its debt.

However, Redcar MP, Anna Turley and Paul Warren, former SSI worker and Community union regional organiser, branded the statement bizarre.