TRUMETER has announced a major diversification after buying the exclusive worldwide manufacturing and marketing rights to a patented new range of spirit levels.

The Radcliffe-based firm has sub-contracted the manufacturing of the new product to Peter Miles Engineering of Leigh, who have acquired a new second factory in Atherton for the purpose, creating an initial 35 new jobs.

The innovative spirit level, known as the Tru-Level Master, has an angled profile with spirit vials at each end on both sides, or six vials on the larger models.

It can be used to check levels in two planes at once, vertical and horizontal. Several product options are available, including a magnetic one.

The new Atherton factory is starting production this month with a single shift of the 35 new employees. Recruitment is already well advanced, including a series of aptitude tests for manual dexterity which is needed for the work.

There is then the prospect of a second shift being added in the New Year as a large part of the initial production is already reserved for export to Germany, with the USA then expected to be the major market.

Milltown Street-based Trumeter's managing director is well-known and respected businessman Mr Peter Weidenbaum.

His company in Radcliffe is primarily involved in the manufacturing of electronic and mechanical counting and calculation equipment.

He said: "We are applying our international marketing expertise to the new product, complementing our present range of tools and measuring wheels which are sold through the same distributor.

"The USA is already our major export market, where we have a rapidly expanding Trumeter operation based in Florida. We expect the DIY superstores to be the main outlets for the new spirit levels."

He added: "Our Radcliffe factory, which also manufactures mechanical and electronic instruments, could not accommodate another complete production line, hence our decision to sub-contract with proven metalworking skills and a successful track record."