County Durham-based Metaltech Ltd (www.mt-uk.com) — a specialist in the thermal processing and coating of metals for the aerospace, automotive, medical-device and precision-engineering sectors — is to join the Wallwork Group (www.wallworkht.com), securing the jobs of its 22 staff. Each business brings metal treatments that will complement those of the other.

Metaltech was founded in 1981 by Ron Scott; Graeme Forster joined the company in the early 1990s and became managing director.

He said: “Joining Wallwork — a firm that believes people are its greatest asset — is a positive step, as Ron steps out to pursue his other interests.

“More importantly, the deal will ensure the future of the business and its employees, as well as giving Metaltech the wider product portfolio of the Wallwork Group to offer our clients.

“The fact that the Wallwork Group is committed to continue processing in the North East was instrumental to the deal.”

Luke Collins, a graduate engineer with 12 years’ experience within the Wallwork Group, is to join Dr Forster as site director at Metaltech.

He said: “This is a good fit for us, strengthening our range of metal heat treatments and hard-coating processes.

“Adding a facility in the North East means we can provide an even faster service to customers there and extend our transport service into Scotland, giving greater flexibility within our Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge sites for further growth.”