Darchem work destined for carriers.

A TEESSIDE engineering firm has completed work on two giant exhausts for a major aircraft carrier build programme.

Stillington-based Darchem Engineering has built the exhausts for the Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carriers for client BAE Systems.

Hailed as the "future flagships of the nation" by the Royal Navy, the HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales aircraft carriers are being built at various shipyards across the UK in "one of the most demanding and revolutionary shipbuilding programmes ever undertaken".

Their pieces - including the exhausts - will be slotted together at an extended dry dock at Rosyth on the Forth to create two 65,000-tonne carriers.

"We have done work for the Royal Navy for years," said Darchem managing director Graham Payne.

"We have also been involved in some of the design of the exhausts."

Darchem is also providing intake systems, folding fire barriers and the installation of products totalling pounds 15m.

Aerospace is a growth market for the company, bolstered by a successful pounds 20m order clinched in 2011 to supply thermal blankets for Boeings 737 aircraft, ongoing work for Rolls Royce jet engines and work on the large 550 seat Airbus A380.

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BIG DEAL: Graham Payne, MD of Darchem, with part of the exhaust system. Picture by IAN McINTYRE