A THIRD generation landscaping firm has wasted little time in building on a record year after securing a train builder contract.

Beaumont Grounds Maintenance is looking after Hitachi Rail Europe’s plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The deal comes just weeks after Beaumont, also based in Aycliffe, revealed year-on-year sales growth for a fifth consecutive year, with turnover up 20 per cent to £625,000.

Alexander Lineton, managing director, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with one of Aycliffe’s flagship companies.

“Business is good – we’re heading in the right direction.”

Mr Lineton also confirmed the company, which employs around 15 staff, would create a small number of new jobs going forward.

He added: “We’re aiming to bring in new staff and deepen the management structure.”

Hitachi’s factory is now making rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western routes, as well as Scottish lines, while the business is also bidding for HS2 and London Underground work.

Chris Evans, Hitachi’s maintenance and facilities manager, added: “Beaumont are in charge of the upkeep of grass, trees, shrubs, weeding and anything that keeps the site looking world-class.”

Last year, The Northern Echo reported how Beaumont had signed a three-year deal with Teesside commercial property practice Dodds Brown.

The agreement means Beaumont is looking after a number of Dodds Brown-managed properties, including Middlesbrough’s Hudson Quay, which is home to Thirteen Group and Hertel.

Beaumont was founded in 1965 by Steven Lineton, who ran the new business alongside his garden centre based on Darlington’s Beaumont Hill.