A TEESSIDE steelwork factory is set for a jobs boost after bosses decided to shut its sister plant in the West Midlands.

Access Design Engineering, a division of Redman Fisher Engineering, is closing its Telford operation and relocating to Middlesbrough.

Sixty-four workers at the firm owned by multi-national group Hill & Smith Holdings will lose their jobs at the company.

The firm has been taken over by partner company Lionweld Kennedy after a review, which showed continuing losses in the last few years.

Access Design and Engineering makes platforms, walkways, handrailing, stairtreads, metalwork and steelwork in mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium glass-reinforced plastic for use at airports, railways stations and motorways.

More than 30 staff will go from the firm’s office and administration departments, while 29 shopfloor workers will lose their jobs. It will close next month.

In a statement released today, the company said the review was carried out as a result of continuing losses incurred over recent years at the Telford site, and of the current and predicted levels of business.

Access Design and Engineering was downsized earlier in the year to reduce in an attempt to save the operation. But challenging market conditions have not improved and the move to Teeside will reduce overheads and provide a solid foundation for its future, it said.

Derek Muir, chief executive, said the decision had not been taken lightly but demonstrated the firm’s commitment to “improving return on sales, return on invested capital and shareholder value.”