A COUNTY Durham offshore protection firm has seen its Korean expansion deliver new work.

Mech-Tool Engineering, based in Darlington, has sent a fire-proof wall system to a Chinese construction contractor.

Bosses say the equipment will protect rig workers should they need to use lifeboats in an emergency.

Awarded by DSIC Offshore, the offshore arm of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, the system was designed and manufactured by Mech-Tool, also known as MTE, in eight weeks.

It was made at Mech-Tool’s South Korean plant, which the business opened more than three years ago to attract new Asian work.

Dale Farnworth, project manager, said: “This adds to our already extensive portfolio in delivering fully-certified engineered solutions.”

Late last year, The Northern Echo revealed the business had created 20 jobs after securing the most valuable deal in its history – a £37m contract to design and make units for a Kazakhstan oil field development.

The Kazakh agreement, secured through Wood Group, includes scope to design, engineer, make and fit-out a field operation office module and 20 enclosures for instruments on the Tengiz oil field.

Mech-Tool has its head office in Darlington, with a manufacturing base in the town supported by a site in Middlesbrough.