Peterlee firm creates 200 new jobs in deal with Russia
Up to 200 new jobs are expected to be created after a County Durham engineering firm won a £50m contract to supply automotive parts to Russia.
Peterlee-based GT Group said it hoped to boost its workforce from 300 to 500 after the deal to supply parts for new diesel engines with Russian giant GAZ.
GAZ is one of Russia's largest manufacturers of cars, buses, lorries and agricultural vehicles.
GT Group said additional jobs would be created over the next three years.
Chairman Geoff Turnbull described the deal as prestigious and said it would cement the company's "rapid growth and reputation" as a supplier of engine brakes and exhaust gas control systems.
He added: "It will also help GT Group achieve its plan to create an additional 200 jobs during the next three years.
"These will cover a range of disciplines focusing on research, design, manufacture and highly skilled engineers."