A WORLD-RENOWNED Darlington company has increased its production capacity after investment in a new production line, which includes specialist equipment to cut steel plate.

Cleveland Bridge UK has the capacity to process 1,000 tonnes of steel a week and has added an FICEP Gemini HD36 CNC plasma plate processing machine and a FICEP 1101DZB automated saw and drill line to its site.

The new machine will increase the company’s capacity to cut profiles from steel plate by around 50 per cent, supporting both structures and infrastructure projects with small fitting components for projects around the world.

Chris Droogan, managing director, said: "This investment demonstrates our commitment to increasing both our manufacturing capacity and productivity. It is also a welcome opportunity to upskill a number of members of the Cleveland Bridge team.

"A growing number of projects require large volumes of profiled steel and this equipment will increase the speed at which we are able to deliver it. The work we do at Cleveland Bridge is in demand around the world and in the domestic market, so this is an ideal time to grow our capacity."