IT is a true reflection of the old meeting the new.

Symbolic of the past, a revered wooden lift occupies a small corner of the factory.

Its intricate metalwork and signage a celebration of manufacturing's past.

Just feet away though, its evolution is busily taking shape.

The grand old design is replaced by new lift shells, each at a differing stage of completion on the production line, with components ready to be fitted.

Overhead a canary yellow-coloured crane shuffles into position to continue work.

Old-fashioned family values are neatly weaved together with modern technology.

It is this mantra that runs through Pickerings Lifts and its plant.

The company is this year celebrating its 160th anniversary.

Entrenched in North-East manufacturing history, the Stockton firm is the UK's largest independent lift maker, specialising in passenger, goods and access lifts, escalators and loading systems, and heating and cooling services.

Founded as a pulley, block and chain producer in 1854, when Britain was fighting in the Crimean War, it now employs more than 340 workers, with about 150 based in the North-East.

It has a satellite office in Gateshead, with similar bases throughout the UK.

A pioneer in its field, the fifth generation company designed and made its first electric lift in 1888 for the Middlesbrough Co-operative Society.

In 1896, it produced the first automatic push button lift, and during the Second World War made trench mortars and installed ammunition lifts for long-range cross-Channel guns near Dover.

It has previously carried out projects for high street retailers Boots and Wilkinsons, as well as London's O2 Arena and the National Railway Museum, in York, and has agreements with a host of well-known stores and leisure outlets.

Sitting in his office, as a Union Jack flies briskly in the breeze outside, managing director Ian Bowers is keen to build on the legacy and the company's position as a valued and trusted British manufacturer.

He said: “We are a family-run company and that gives us a unique position.

“We have been here for 160 years on this same site, which is very important to us, and are very committed to giving customers exactly what they want and need.

“We have always taken the long-term view, which has been pivotal to our success.

“Even when the country was in the middle of the recession, it wasn't the case that we sat and thought, 'right, lets cut things to make profits look good'.

“We remained strong and robust by staying focused on our products.

“We do not chop and change here, we know where we are and what we do.

“But our ethos is also one of passion.

“Everyone that works here is passionate about Pickerings and our customers.

“They are proud of where they come from and where they work.

“That shows in the length of time many of our staff have spent here, with a number of them rewarded for 25 and 40 years' service.

“Workers will also receive their birthday off this year too, in celebration of the 160th anniversary.”

This strong focus on people is heightened by Pickerings' move to recruit the next generation of workers through apprenticeships.

Experts predict the region will lose up to 8,500 skilled engineers to retirement by 2016.

Mr Bowers says the process of getting the right skills into the company can be difficult, but, when successful, is ultimately rewarding.

He said: “The big challenge is people, you have to get the right people in.

“We have six administrative apprentices and up to 20 engineering apprentices and they are doing very well.

“There are actually more people choosing to stay on in work, but we will continue to invest in apprentices.

“They adopt the culture here and the fit is good for us.”

Mr Bowers said the firm, which made balloon winches and power units in the First World War and Second World War, continues to benefit from its family ownership factor, which gives clients a greater deal of comfort.

He said it had also weathered the economic downturn, which was less than forgiving for a number of other firms in the manufacturing sector.

He added: “We have a strong stability with customers and they like the family side to the business.

“They appreciate the fact that we are robust financially and have a good history of serving the areas they are in.

“But if they want to speak to the owner, or they want to speak to me, they can do so.

“They are not having to try and get in touch with someone in Italy or Germany.

“We are right here in the North-East.

“We have definitely come through the worst of the recession now, that point was probably at the end of 2013, and we are seeing more action in the first part of this year.

“There is still some price pressure out there, but certainly more activity.

“This is an exciting time for us and there are new challenges to face.

“The North-East is still a strong area and will remain the mainstay for the company.”

Pickerings Lifts: A History

Founded in 1854 by Jonathan Pickering, the company is one of the oldest engineering firms in England.

In 1876, Pickerings exhibited products in Germany, the Netherlands, and at the Philadephia Exhibition in the US, and were awarded medals for the excellence and quality of its products.

The company designed and made its first electric lift in 1888, which was installed at the Middlesbrough Co-operative Society.

In 1891, after the death of Jonathan Pickering, John Fothergill, an independent marine engineering consultant to Pickerings on ship docking and unloading systems, was made managing director.

The company pioneered the first automatic push button lift in 1896, which was a forerunner to many future developments.

During the First and Second World Wars, Pickerings specialised in handling plant and furnace chaging machines and making balloon winches and field power units.

In the Second World War, it made trench mortars and components for Bailey Bridges and floating Pontoon Bridges. It also installed ammunition lifts for the long-range cross-Channel guns on the South coast.

The firm launched its own escalator division in 2008 to satisfy its diversifying customer base, and in 2010, its loading systems arm secured an agreement with US based 4Front Engineered Solutions, allowing it to offer products such as sectional doors and loading platforms.

Last year, it revealed a heating and cooling division, which offers ventilation and air conditioning services.