A NORTH-EAST engineering firm has increased the size of its apprenticeship intake by 50 per cent as part of its on-going growth plans.

British Engines has today reported a 12 per cent jump in turnover for the year ended May 3.

It follows an announcement revealed by The Northern Echo last Wednesday that the group, which includes Newcastle-based BEL Valves, expects to create up to 100 jobs over the next three years.

Over the past year the group increased capital expenditure by 20 per cent, creating more than 100 jobs as it spent more than £2.4m on research and development.

The group has six North-East based businesses operating in a variety of brands in Newcastle, Longbenton, South Shields, Cramlington, Gateshead and Bishop Auckland, all of whom design and manufacture technology leading products for industries including oil and gas, chemical, marine, construction and agriculture sectors.

British Engines’ results showed a 12 per cent increase in turnover up to £156.3m and a pre-tax profit increase of £4m. This has allowed the firm to increase the level of investment in the business during the year.

Its Rotary Power business moved into a new factory in South Shields, CMP Products expand in to a second factory in Cramlington, Stadium Packing Services increase warehouse space in Swallwell and its head office core services team move to Quorum Business Park.

This has made way for significant investment in redeveloping its St. Peter’s site on Newcastle Quayside, where BEL Valves is now the sole occupier. With a further investment expected to be announced later this year.

The engineering group has recruited more than 30 apprentices, to add to its existing 53 apprentices, who will be given the opportunity to undertake the company’s in-house Apprenticeship+ scheme, alongside the more traditional apprenticeship programme.

Alex Lamb, chairman, said: “The business was founded more than 90 years ago on the same site BEL Valves occupies today; the North-East is, and always will be, our home and for this reason we maintain a commitment to not only growing our businesses, but also investing wisely within the region.

“Our commitment to local employment, and in particular apprentices and graduates, means that we retain and nurture the very best engineering talent here in the region. More than 800 local people have undertaken the British Engines Apprenticeship Scheme.

“Developing this in-house programme to be one of the best engineering schemes out there is a key part of our strategy,” added Mr Lamb.

In addition, British Engines’ continued growth, will see it open additional offices abroad this year including in South Africa and Brazil.