A NORTH Yorkshire grain dryer manufacturer has formed a business alliance with one of Europe's largest.

Allmet, whose head-quarters is in North Cowton, near Northallerton, has teamed up with Tornum AB, who are based in southern Sweden.

Both companies will keep their autonomy but share their expertise and resources to focus on product research and development for the UK market with a new product launch planned for the New Year

Charles White, Allmet director, said: "By working together our customers will benefit from improved technology, market leading products and new innovations. Building smart relationships has always made good business sense and Tornum were an obvious choice as we share the same ethos of developing tailor made, customer driven solutions."

Both companies offer a one stop shop for grain drying, handling and storage, from in-house design and consultancy through to manufacture, installation and aftercare. The alliance will not only allow the exchange of knowledge and skills but increased operational efficiencies.

James White, fellow Allmet director, said: "We share an enthusiasm for building a successful relationship with Tornum. The first exciting development from this collaboration will be the launch of a new Allmet range of industrial grain driers for the UK market in the new year, with capacities of up to 300t/hour. We will also be expanding our manufacturing facilities at our HQ in Northallerton."

Per Larsson, Tornum managing director, said: "Tornum and Allmet know the grain drying business. Together we can play to our strengths to deliver the best service and best product for both the agricultural and industrial market."

Allmet, which also has an office in Aberdeenshire, was established in 1953 and is one of the UK's oldest grain dryer manufacturers. It is at the forefront of product development and patented one of the first mixed flow continuous grain driers

Tornum AB is a European market leader in supplying complete grain handling systems for the agriculture and grain industries. Its head office is in Sweden but also has subsidiaries in Finland, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine and representatives in other countries.