A company is to increase its staffing levels more than six-fold in expansion plans for next year.
The father and son team of Ed and Shaun Smith is investing more than £500,000 in new technology at MDF Powder Coatings, with part of the cash coming from government funding.
Based on the Bonlea Trading Estate, Thornaby, the two-year-old company was launched to target the construction industry and has since diversified into the steel industry which includes powder coating parts for the automotive trade, palisade fencing and domestic and industrial appliances.
But the new technology will allow expansion into the shopfitting, furniture, shelving systems and signage markets.
With a current staff of four, it is expected that a 24-hour shift system will be needed by the middle of the year, which means an increase of 25 jobs.
Sean Smith said: "After investing many months in time, effort and development we hope to offer our customers the commitment, quality and consistency they demand for 2004."
With the latest technologies, powder coating is a viable alternative to wet spray finishing, laminating and membrane pressing.
The key advantages include a single coat finish with the look of paint and functionality of laminate.
Higher processing speeds and the removal of solvent use means a more economically and environmentally friendly way to finish wood products.
MDF Powder Coatings has struck up a working relationship with trading estate neighbour Duoworld Shopfitting.
It is now using the new finish on a number of projects.
Michael Pratt, Duoworld business manager, said: "Having a close relationship with MDF, we are able to offer our contractors different kinds of high quality finishing, which is convenient and more efficient in terms of the volume of products produced."
The company also intends to transform 5,000sq ft of unused factory space into further storage space for consignment stock.
The company has benefited from Business Link support throughout its development.
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