THE Tanfield Group's latest acquisition has secured an order that could open up the Far East market.

Norquip, a subsidiary of the Tanfield Group, has won a contract to supply four catering vehicles to Cathay Pacific Airways at Hong Kong International Airport.

Darren Kell, business development director for the Tanfield Group, said: "Winning an order from such a high-profile airline can only help raise brand awareness in South-East Asia, which is a key market for us."

The Tanfield Group, based in Stanley, County Durham, employs 400 people. It bought Norquip for £280,000 in May and has spent the past few months integrating the business.

Norquip is a manufacturer of high lifts for airport catering and passenger transfer vehicles.

The catering vehicles are used to load meals and equipment on to long-haul flights.

The driver can pull up next to an aircraft, then use a scissor lift to raise the trailer several metres, bringing it level with the plane's doors.

Norquip has sold vehicles in Europe and the Middle East, and built an invalid vehicle for Pope John Paul II.

Mr Kell said: "We always thought Norquip was a shrewd acquisition - it is a brand known throughout the industry for quality manufacturing.

"But to see a return on our investment so soon is very rewarding."

Rod Slaughter, the Tanfield Group's divisional manager for Norquip, said: "This order proves that Norquip is a quality brand and is benefiting from the kind of sales and marketing resources available to the Tanfield Group."

Norquip was founded in Norwich in 1991. It was bought by Saxon Specialist Vehicles and moved to Cheshire in April 2002, before being sold to the Tanfield Group in May this year.

The group also owns Smith Electric Vehicles, the world's oldest and largest commercial electric vehicle manufacturer, which makes Jumbotugs tractor units.