TWENTY jobs are being created at a North-East firm thanks to the success of a new hydraulics system developed by another company in the region.

The latest control system developed by Ultronics, in Newton Aycliffe, has led to a lucrative contract at Tanfield Lea-based e2A (ok), allowing the expansion.

Ultronics' new design is aimed at such heavy duty equipment as diggers and wagons which use hydraulics for lifting and other operations, and is being aimed at such firms as Caterpillar and JCB.

And e2A have won the contract to supply specialist machined components to Ultronics to build the systems for the off highway and automotive industries which have greeted the design as an innovative replacement for existing technology.

As a result, e2A, which is part of the Tanfield Group, will be investing £4.5m in the latest CNC high speed machining centres and will be adding the extra jobs to its existing 70-plus workforce.

Mark Hutchinson, operations director of e2A, said: "This is an exciting project for us and we are delighted to be associated with such a new and highly innovative manufacturing concept.

"Investment in people and the latest technology has given e2A a leading edge technical ability which perfectly matches the requirements of Ultronics and provides a major opportunity for growth."