A PRINT firm has hailed its homecoming after securing an agreement to support a trainbuilder.

SOS Group is helping strengthen operations at Hitachi Rail Europe’s £82m plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Bosses say the deal is a special occasion for the Team Valley-based company, having previously backed Hitachi’s bases in London, Milton Keynes, Gloucestershire and Leicestershire.

George Young, director at SOS Group, which provides document management, scanning and office equipment, said the business was proud to extend its relationship.

He said: “Having worked very closely with Hitachi Rail at their operations across the country, it is a huge positive to be working with them so close to home.”

Hitachi’s Aycliffe plant, which is expected to employ 730 staff at its peak, has a number of deals in place to replace rolling stock across the UK.

Its models are due to enter service on the Great Western Main Line, which runs via Bristol to south Wales, in late 2017, and the East Coast Main Line, which connects the North-East to Scotland and London, the following year.

The business will also supply 100mph commuter trains for electrified lines between Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as routes covering Stirling, Alloa and Dunblane, and deliver 125mph stock for FirstGroup’s TransPennine Express franchise, which connects the North-East with Manchester and Scotland.

Malcolm Brown, Hitachi Rail Europe IT manager, said SOS Group’s support will be invaluable as the company ramps up manufacturing in the region.

He added: “Sales support is not just sales, but finding something that best suits a customer’s needs.

“The SOS Group has worked closely with us on this and I’m confident our relationship will go from strength-to-strength.”