INVESTMENT in innovation is drumming up business for Berger Closures.

The Peterlee manufacturer of metal closing rings has developed a process that will benefit its customers, particularly those in the pharmaceutical sector.

The company supplies metal closing rings that lock the lids of drums used in the food, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Its pharmaceutical clients have introduced new standards and raised their quality benchmarks, which meant the existing production of closing rings could not guarantee a product was contamination-free.

Berger responded by devising a process to clean the closing rings to the required standard.

Richard Swart, managing director, said: "The new process has not only helped us safeguard jobs, but could also help to create jobs here in Peterlee as demand for our improved product increases.

"Market conditions are difficult for many firms at the moment and, sadly, we had to shed some jobs last year."

Berger has been designing, testing and manufacturing metal closures at Peterlee since 1988 and, over the years, doubled the size of its east Durham operation, but last year cut its staff from 31 to 24.

It is part of the Berger Group, which has factories in Holland, France, Slovakia, Germany and Spain, as well as associated companies in Italy and South Africa.

The company has had help from the County Durham Development Company (CDDC). Phil Eadon, director of marketing at CDDC, said: "Berger has invested substantially in its plant and machinery, demonstrating its confidence in County Durham as a business location, and CDDC looks forward to working closely with the company in the coming years."