A TEES Valley technology firm has netted a Spanish hat-trick which is set to create and safeguard North-East jobs.

The latest success for Middlesbrough-based Unasys is a £1m support contract to work on one of the biggest construction projects currently being undertaken in Spain, that will create an initial 15 jobs.

The expertise of workers from Teesside has been called upon to help create the groundbreaking Castor Underground Natural Gas Storage facility which is being developed near the Mediterranean coastal town of Vinaroz to meet the urgent need for additional gas storage capacity.

The deal follows two contacts with Spanish energy firm Cepsa that have helped to reinforce Unasys growing reputation on the Continent. The foundations of the contract were set down during a trade visit to Spain organised by NOF Energy, the business development organisation for the oil, gas and energy sectors.

Working in association with the British Embassy in Madrid, NOF Energy organised the five day trade mission that led directly to Unasys entering negotiations with Cepsa.

Mick Flynn, Director of Unasys, said: "NOF Energy's market visits have always proved very fruitful for us. The contacts we have established in Spain are invaluable in our aims to expand globally and I would recommend the organisation's visits to any company in the supply chain looking to trade internationally."

Joanne Leng, Director of Business Development at NOF Energy said: "Spain is a key market for the UK energy sector supply chain, offering many opportunities both in country and globally. The country itself acts as a gateway to securing work in other parts of the world, such as South America. This makes it an important destination for NOF Energy market visits.

"A number of our member companies have found success in the market following visits, not least Unasys, which is starting work on its third major contract in the country. In fact actual orders secured by members from the Spanish market total £3.2 million, quite an achievement over a three year period and demonstrates the strength of the UK supply chain and the success it can find in global markets."

Unasys, which was established in Middlesbrough 10 years ago, recently relocated to Boho One, the towns state of the art digital and creative industries hub.