The firm was established more than 60 years ago and is now based at a purpose-built 2.5 acre site in Northallerton.

The Allerton Group, which includes the specialst sub-division Allerton Bridges, currently employs almost 100 highly skilled workers, all trained to utilise its array of specialist and computer controlled equipment.

The group’s combined turnover currently stands at £7.3m per annum, with that figure expected to increase to more than £10m by 2010.

Led by managing director Stuart Beales, the new management team also includes Financial Director Giles Penn, Commercial Director Dave Longbottom and Production Director Steve Robinson.

Mr Beales, 52, has joined Allerton from Butterly Ltd, where he was a director and general manager specialising in the design of bridges and subsea offshore structures. He has 28 years’ engineering and general management experience.

Giles Penn, 41, has made the move from agriculture to the world of engineering, having spent time in the pig farming industry.

A qualified auditor and chartered accountant, Mr Penn also worked at Deloittes in Leeds, where he carried out a broad range of accounting specialisms.

Apart from a three-year break, Dave Longbottom, 52, from Northallerton, has been at Allerton Engineering since 1975 and has worked his way up from the shop floor as a time-served plater to become Commercial Director.

Another long-serving member of the team is Steve Robinson, 38, from Northallerton, who joined the firm straight from school and has also risen through the ranks from shop floor to Production Director.

Mr Beales said: “This team has a wealth of experience across a wide range of disciplines and provides a solid knowledge base to build on.

“The group continues to go from strength to strength and I am confident that with such a strong team in place we can maintain that progress and go on to further success.”

Mr Penn said: “I have good experience working with SME businesses from my time at Deloittes.

“The forward-thinking nature of Allerton Engineering helped me choose to change sectors, and I am keen to help drive the business forward.”