A COMPANY whose Malton base makes robots that help to decommission nuclear plants today announced the creation of ten new jobs.

Ten design engineers are being sought by SMD to work at its operation on the York Road Business Park.

The north east-based company, which was recently presented a Queen’s Award for Innovation for the design and manufacturer of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of remote invention equipment, operating in hazardous environments across the globe.

Its Malton outpost is a relatively new venture for the business, and focuses on transferring SMD’s expertise in advanced, robust remote intervention systems to the nuclear decommissioning sector.

There the remotely operated robots can perform tasks in environments too dangerous for people to work safely.

Malton’s most recent vehicle, a Q-Trencher, has been used by operators in China and more recently in Japan, where it has been involved in sub-sea communications cable repair in the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Last year, SMD delivered a ground-based ROV to Sellafield Limited for use at the THORP plant, which is one of the world’s most hazardous nuclear environments.

Its increasing presence in the nuclear market follows the restructuring of its operations into five business streams – ROVS, Trenching, Renewables, Nuclear and Mining.

On the back of this restructuring SMD’s growth has seen its turnover for 2009-10 soar by almost 50 per cent, to £61 million. This expansion, to meet the growing contract wins secured by SMD, has enabled the business to more than double its workforce from 120 to almost 300.

The latest recruitment is part of a drive to create 30 new jobs based in North Yorkshire and at SMD’s north-east operations.

As well as its operation in Malton, SMD operates across three sites in the north east, including its head office and manufacturing facility in Wallsend.

It also has international offices in Singapore, Houston, and Macae in Brazil.

Andrew Hodgson, SMD’s chief executive, said: “Alongside the emerging renewables sector, oil and gas and the sub-sea telecommunication cable industry, nuclear is a very important market for SMD.

“Our Malton operation is key to developing new and effective systems to support the nuclear industry and the new personnel we are looking to recruit will be part of a talented and skilled team who are at the cutting edge of engineering for the energy industry.”