A COUNTY Durham manufacturing business has set its sights on expansion after doubling its workforce and securing its first overseas sale.

Sedgefield-based Autoveytion (UK) makes belt conveyor systems.

Contract wins for systems to be used on manufacturing assembly lines in the US and Romania, and healthy UK sales, has helped staff numbers rise to ten.

Autoveytion's growth follows the formation of a new management team with local businessman Dave Ward becoming managing director, joining founder Simon Spoors, to focus on developing new markets.

The company has developed a hygienic "bug free" conveyor system for the food handling and pharmaceuticals industries. It technology uses antibacterial properties to set new standards for the handling of foodstuffs and similar products subject to potential contamination.

Mr Ward said: "We are an ambitious team and the new structure makes us ideally placed to build on the strong reputation the company has earned in recent years.

"There is significant potential for growth and the new hygienic system is already attracting interest from foodstuffs companies faced with increasingly stringent food handling standards. The new system is the first of a number of new product introductions we are planning to help expand our range and take us into new market areas."