A FAMILY-OWNED chemical firm aims to strengthen its North American presence through a new deal.

Thomas Swan and Co Limited has finalised an agreement to represent Robinson Brothers’ Robac Technology brand across the US and Canada.

Bosses at the business, based in Consett, County Durham, say the work will be carried out by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Swan Chemical Inc (SCI).

Robac’s products provide rubber additives to help operators meet health, safety and environmental demands.

SCI was founded in 1985 to distribute Swan’s products into North America and over the last three years has broadened its portfolio to distribute goods from a range of companies.

Harry Swan, managing director, said Robinson Brothers’ decision to partner the business was further validation of its marketplace repute.

He said: “This is a strong endorsement of SCI and our US distribution team as they continue to expand our rubber additive market presence in the US and Canada.

“The Robac Technology product range will complement our wider rubber additive portfolio and we look forward to working closely with Robinson Brothers to grow their US and Canadian business.”

Thomas Swan is known for working on graphene, which experts say is an ultra-light carbon material capable of adding toughness to plastics and cutting friction in lubricants.

According to its latest annual results, turnover was up nearly five per cent at £25.4m, with gross profit up from £5.3m to £5.9m.

However, operating profit fell from £2.3m to £1.4m, as the effects of a previous patent payment weakened from a year ago. Profit for the financial year stood at £1.085m, down from £2.039m.

But bosses at the firm, founded in the 1920s when Tommy Swan set up mixing plants at Consett’s Crookhall works, say it is well placed for growth, highlighting its net assets, worth £16.5m, and its strong position in a growing industry.

David Cavet, director, added: “The group operates in a changing market where growth is dependent on maintaining relationship and developing new business.

“However, we believe this can be achieved by continuing to provide a range of high-quality products and services at competitive prices.”

In its infancy, the company was known for converting steel industry slag waste into road surfacing material.

However, when road builders changed from using tar as a binder to bitumen on roads, it created a surfactant, which became its first chemical product.

Its expertise now includes tyre and rubber additives in a performance chemicals division, while it also supplies an active ingredient that goes into cleaning agent Dettol.