The company says demand for its Glass Cord – used to reinforce synchronous drive belts, which are used in vehicle engines to operate overhead camshafts – is behind the expansion. The £38m turnover company employs 220 people at its Lea Green facility.

An estimated 85 per cent of NGF's sales are exports and the company's research and development works in close partnership with customers to develop and improve products.

Since 1991 NGF Europe has been a subsidiary of Japanese firm Nippon Sheet Glass Company, one of the biggest manufacturers of glass products.

Former finance director Brian Kelly took over as managing director of the UK-based arm this year following the retirement of long-serving MD David Monk.