A DARLINGTON company has had to invest in extra process and warehousing facilities to cope with demand.

Cleveland Studios Ltd has quadrupled its floorspace with a purposebuilt building next to its headquarters in Lingfield Way.

The company began life in 1996 as a supplier of pet identification tags, which are now sold in 95pc of all UK veterinary practices.

However, in recent years it has expanded into high-tech microchip tracking for musical instruments, saddles, antiques and other highvalue items.

It has provided microchip scanners to every police force in the UK, enabling them to return items to their owners.

CSL has also expanded into corporate identity materials, pet products and car personalisation.

Richard Newhouse, managing director, said: “Having a diverse range of products and services is proving extremely valuable in the current market conditions.

“It means we are protected against a slow-down in any one particular area as we don’t have all our eggs in one basket.

“Our wholesale pet product business is the one expanding most rapidly and we were in urgent need of more warehouse space.”

UK Steel Enterprise, the Corus subsidiary that supports growing businesses, gave the company a £40,000 loan towards the new building and expansion.

It first worked with CSL in 1999 and has supported the company through several funding rounds since then.

Simon Hamilton, regional manager, said CSL was a well-managed company that had shown the advantages of diversification and carefully managed expansion.