RUNCORN engineering firm Engenda Group has taken over a Widnes technical design specialist.

Hope Draughting Limited in Halegate Road now plans to double its 10-strong workforce through new expansion plans.

Operations director Jon Brindle, who founded the company in 1996, said: “This is a very exciting time for us. We believe our movement under the Engenda Group banner will transform the business.

“It will create opportunities to work on major new international projects. We will also be able to tap into greater resource, industry knowledge and contacts across the group to accelerate growth.

“The development also brings the prospect of hi-tech job creation in the Widnes area.

“We are very proud of the work we have achieved. We have worked closely with engineers, design consultants, installers and manufacturers for many years to refine our service.”

Engenda in Manor Park is rapidly expanding after a series of specialist acquisitions.

It employs up to 500 people, which fluctuates depending on the nature of its projects.

The company was formed in 2009 by Les O’Hare who spent 30 years building up his dad’s firm, O’Hare Engineering in Runcorn into a £50 million turnover business employing 600 people. It was sold in 2007 to German firm Bilfinger Berger.

He said: “Hope Draughting has a terrific reputation and is a market leader in computer aided design design and modelling. The firm has a strong heritage and international experience in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

“Its use of progressive technology including 3D laser scanning is a key selling point for our customers. It delivers an ‘intelligent’ and cost effective solution by identifying and resolving potential problems prior to the construction phase of a project. This brings a range of benefits including safer, faster and more accurate designs.”

Engenda managing director Lee Foundation and Hope Draughting operations director Jon Brindle