B&B Attachments is to create 18 new jobs and expand into a 40,000ft2 facility after receiving £200,000 from Arch, the development agency for Northumberland.

The Cramlington-based maker of fork-lift truck attachments said the move is in response to an increase in demand, both domestically and overseas. The new jobs will bring the total workforce to 64 by 2016.

Operations director John Lamberth said: “We could not have proceeded with this expansion without Arch’s support. The move will be a fantastic opportunity for us to take advantage of our unique position as the leader in the field of purpose-built fork-lift attachments.

"We are proud to be a Northumberland company, employing local people; they play a huge part in our success. The bespoke design and manufacturing service that we offer is a great opportunity for us to ‘grow’ the business and extend our client base.”

Dave Ledger, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and chairman of Arch, said: “This company is a perfect example of a business that was ready to move its operation up to the next level and needed some funding support to make it happen. I am delighted there are such a substantial number of skilled jobs being created in Northumberland as part of the investment. By training apprentices as part of the expansion, B&B Attachments is also safeguarding technical skills for the future.”