A RYEDALE engineering firm is on track for double-digit growth after securing a multi-million pound contact with a European defence contractor.

Sylatech, based at Kirkbymoorside, has secured the ten-year deal to supply passive microwave antenna components and assemblies to an undisclosed “major defence contractor”.

Family-owned Sylatech, which was founded 53 years ago, supplies micro investment casting solutions across a variety of industry sectors, including aerospace, defence, transport, medical, and general product engineering.

Managing Director Charlie Breese said: “As a strategic supplier to our customer, we have proudly supported their antenna and microwave assembly requirements for more than 25 years.

“Our microwave design, manufacturing and testing capability provides a strong customer fit whilst our reputation in the sector continues to strengthen.

“Sylatech is currently enjoying rapid growth with several of our International Prime customers and we are on track to achieve double-digit growth this year. We anticipate this rate of growth to continue over the coming five years.”

Mr Breese added that given the” increasing demand for our manufacturing output”, the company is currently recruiting additional skilled engineering and production staff to work at its manufacturing facility in Kirkbymoorside.

Sylatech is progressing with plans to move to a new production facility in Pickering after securing planning approval for the £7 million development in September last year.

The intention of the scheme is to create a “commercial hub” on the site, creating facilities aimed at complementary and associated industries.

Currently Sylatech has 135 employees, and with the proposed expansion this could increase by an additional 35 employees.

The new Sylatech facility, which involves the full remediation of the site, would extend across three storeys to include the production and assembly processes, research and development and office facilities.