A NEWTON Aycliffe manufacturing company is aiming to double its turnover in the next two years.

ALM Products plans to expand its factory on the Heighington Lane Business Park by 80 per cent to manage the increased demand that the company expects to generate.

The expansion will mean more jobs at the factory, which has been established in the town for ten years.

The company, which presently employs about 25 people at its Aycliffe base, manufactures toilet partition hardware for the commercial sector.

It also produces bespoke items for a variety of non-commercial customers.

The product range includes vacant/engaged indicator bolts, hinges, brackets, headrails, changing room furniture and seating supports.

The company is extremely busy and has reached its capacity, but it is also looking to diversify.

ALM has won the Ernst and Young Manufacturer of the Year Award and has long been proactive as an Investor in People.

The company recently appointed Tim Wood as operations manager to oversee the expansion and increased production.

Mr Wood, 40, from Bishop Auckland, has worked in several countries on various projects throughout his career, building an international rapport and gaining experience valuable to ALM Products.

As part of its growth to become a world class company ALM is aiming to lead the industry.

Managing director Tony Thompson said: "Finding the right people is critical to the success of our business.

"Tim will form part of the team that will enable us to expand and create opportunities to recruit enthusiastic skilled people in the future."

To find out more about ALM's new ranges of toilet partition hardware, available direct around the globe, visit the company's website at www.almproducts.co.uk