Valmont Industries, a global manufacturer of engineered support structures for infrastructure and mechanised irrigation equipment for agriculture, has acquired Stainton Metal Company, a manufacturer of street lighting poles based in Stockton-on-Tees.

Stainton Metal also manufactures support structures for high mast and flood lighting, the tramway, electrical distribution and wind energy industries as well as having a structures testing business trading under the name Rei-lux UK.

President of Valmont's international division Victor Grizzle commented: "Stainton Metal brings a broad range of high quality products, a strong management team, and long-standing customer relationships. Stainton is an industry leader in the UK market. They offer a solid platform to serve the UK customers with the total global capabilities of Valmont.”

Phil Plackett, Stainton MD, added: "The entire team at Stainton Metal are very excited to join forces with Valmont. Valmont's vast worldwide experience, resource and expertise will allow us to take advantage of opportunities that we previously thought were unattainable.”

Stainton is currently in the process of growing its business, having recently built a new finishing factory at its premises in Stockton, and extending its paint shop by adding a further two painting lines increasing its service capacity by 70 per cent.

Plackett added: “We know that Valmont will encourage us to continue to invest and implement our ambitious growth plan over the next five years.”