TWO Tees Valley businesses have formed a strategic alliance.

The Nortech Group, one of the UK’s most respected engineering service providers, has secured a new partnering agreement with Mech-Tool Engineering Ltd (MTE), to enhance its project-based engineering design expertise.

MTE protects people and equipment from fire, blast and radiant heat in a number of sectors including offshore and onshore oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy, chemical and petrochemical.

It has UK offices in Darlington, Middlesbrough and Aberdeen and international divisions in South Korea, Abu Dhabi, India, Malaysia and Houston, Texas.

The new agreement builds upon the existing relationship between Nortech and MTE, which has included projects in the UK and Middle East.

Nortech Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing engineering service providers. It provides engineering design, consultancy, and staff to the oil and gas, energy, chemical and petrochemical industries.

With its headquarters in Wynyard and an office in Aberdeen, the group also has a presence in the Middle East through its joint venture company, Al Dhabi Nortech Engineering Consultancy LLC in Abu Dhabi.

Anthony Jones, MTE managing director, said the new partnership would help strengthen and expand their design engineering capabilities.

He said: “It enables MTE to maximise on the agile and experienced supply chain that exists in the UK, enabling the business to focus on our core expertise.

“This will ensure the most efficient and effective project delivery that meets the high standards and requirements of our global customer base.”

Bryan Bunn, Nortech managing director, said the new agreement would allow the two companies to work closer together.

“We have a strong understanding of MTE’s operations and values and will support its objectives through the management and delivery of project-based design engineering services,” he said.