LEADING engineering and metals plant builder VAI UK has won a £3.5m contract to increase the furnace capacity at a South African works.

The Stockton firm was awarded the deal by steelmaker ISCOR at its Vanderbijipark Steel Works, in Gauteng, in the Transvaal Province.

The contract is for the design, supply and installation of a fourth stove at the site, and is the first phase of a modernisation program for the stoves at the site planned for the next few years.

The stove will go into operation during November next year.

VAI will be working in partnership with Murray and Roberts, a leading South African engineering company, with which it has worked on several smaller blast furnace projects during recent years.

This contract is the largest venture so far for the partnership.

Ken Taylor, VAI UK director of iron-making, said,: "Efficient hot blast stoves are critical for the operation of a modern blast furnace.

"This South African order follows on our recent success in securing our first hot blast stoves contract in China and further endorses VAI UK's reputation as world leader in hot blast stove technology."

VAI UK employs about 450 people nationwide at sites that include Stockton, Sheffield and Bournemouth.