A PLASTICS company is expanding after securing a cycling agreement, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Lamplas is working with Bike Track People on courses for twowheeled enthusiasts.

The deal comes as Lamplas takes on workers to cater for rising demand in the holiday home sector.

The business, which will make next generation trails for Bike Track People, has a deal with caravan maker Swift to supply shower cubicles, with a further order from another holiday home maker due to start this summer.

Keith Siddle, operations director, said Lamplas, based in Castleside, near Consett, County Durham, is primed for growth, revealing the mobile holiday home sector has been stimulated by the falling value of the pound and retired couples keen on staycation breaks.

He also confirmed the business, whose expertise extends to washbasins, baths and parts for commercial vehicles, would look to add to its workforce, which stands just shy of 100 people.

Referring initially to its track deal, he told the Echo: “It’s longterm and we will start to build the next generation of track for them.

“(The holiday home sector) is superb at the moment too.

“The guys are all winning business and growing on the back of staycation as far as we can see.

“A lot of people are retiring and downsizing, selling their homes, buying somewhere smaller and buying a static caravan, for example.

“There’s been some fabulous demand from that side of the market; it’s full steam ahead.”

Mr Siddle said the business, which counts ABI, Autotrail and Elddis as clients, has also benefited from its position as a UK manufacturer, with customers buoyed by the knowledge their goods have been handcrafted in the country.

He added: “They like the fact things are made in England; they want to know it’s made in the UK.”

The company has worked with Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business support division, for a number of years, and Andrea McGuigan, the organisation’s business development manager, said Lamplas’ progress was fantastic news.

She added: “The company has continued to innovate and develop products and they deserve the success they have achieved.

“We will continue to support them.”

Back in 2010, the Echo reported how Lamplas had played a major role in a charity project by making 52 8ft fibreglass angels for the Irish Angels - Beacons of Hope exhibition.

The angels were decorated by celebrities, including Uma Thurman and Colin Farrell, before being auctioned to raise money for charities.