A 40-YEAR-OLD family glass firm is plotting further decades of success after unveiling £2.3m expansion plans.

Peterlee Glass is moving into a 60,000sq ft base to support its growth plans.

Graeme Hawes, managing director, last night told The Northern Echo the switch could create new jobs, adding the company hopes to capitalise on retailers’ ongoing store improvements and homeowners’ penchant for DIY.

He said the east Durham firm will move to Peterlee’s Mill Hill from nearby Lister Road, where it has been based since the early 1980s, adding a £1.3m investment in equipment to make new safety glass will set it apart from national rivals.

Founded in 1977 by Graeme’s father, David, the company makes panels for stairs, balustrades and canopies, and lists retailers such as Primark, Fenwick, Next and Selfridges, and retail parks including the MetroCentre, as customers.

Mr Hawes said the move would give the business, which was previously taken on by Brownhills Investments, fresh impetus, revealing it has already increased its national presence and taken its workforce to more than 30.

He told the Echo the firm’s employment figure would remain steady over the coming months, but refused to rule out adding more people to its rota in the future as it benefits from continuing demand, which includes clamour from DIY enthusiasts keen to replace stair spindles with glass panels.

He said: “We have been in this building since 1981; it was purpose-built at the time and it has had three extensions.

“But we have run out of space now and it’s nice to see the company thriving and growing.

“It went through some difficult patches but we rode through them and this move is good for the area and good for employment.

“Glass is now seen as a much cleaner and crisper addition to projects and Brownhills has given us a bigger presence in the Midlands area too.

“But we’ve also got our trade centre that supplies to tradespeople and (we are benefiting) from people who are re-decorating their homes, rather than going out and buying a new one.

“It’s fitting this relocation is happening in the year we celebrate our 40th birthday, and I’m sure my dad would be really proud of how the business has grown.”

Mr Hawes said the firm expects to move into its new base by May at the very latest, revealing £1m is being spent to refurbish the site and fit a new roof and windows.

He reiterated the switch will allow the company to fit the latest machinery, including a toughening furnace and apparatus to make safety glass in large amounts, meaning it can set itself apart from market rivals.

He also said it would continue helping architects with overseas projects, which has previously seen Peterlee Glass support developments in the US, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

He added: “The machinery is helping us to be a bit more niche and with the size of the glass we will be able to produce, we will be the only one in the North-East to do it.”