Bradford-based steel drum manufacturer T&D Packaging has snapped up three new orders worth more than £2.5 million.

The UK's biggest independent steel drum manufacturer beat off stiff competition to scoop the hat-trick of business contracts with new and existing customers.

Multinational oil giant Shell, with whom the company has worked for more than 25 years, has awarded T&D a two-year contract to produce large steel drums for lubricants and chemicals.

T&D also scored another two-year sole supplier contract with Derbyshire-based Hyperlast, which recently awarded T&D its Supplier of the Year award.

The additional business was acquired after a series of comprehensive procedural reviews at T&D's Bradford plant and required the company submitting and implementing a comprehensive disaster plan.

Hyperlast Quality Services Manager Alan Gamble said: "Hyperlast selected T&D for the new contract because we are confident in the company's ability to meet our excellent quality standards. The reliable team also provides us with a flexible service and package that includes demonstrated controls, risk analysis and disaster planning."

Completing the hat-trick of contracts for T&D, which has more than 75 years in packaging production, is a four-year deal with new customer global coating specialists PPG, to supply a range of large steel drums.

T&D Packaging Ltd was formerly known as Tanks & Drums Ltd and is based at Bowling Iron Works, Bradford.

T&D Managing Director Mike Lynch said that the new contracts are an integral part of the company's strategy to support the investment initiative.

"Although the UK market continues to be difficult, it is heartening that our plan to expand with blue chip companies who value a supplier seeking to promote new supply chain initiatives is paying off.

"We attribute these achievements to our continuous improvement drive which gives us a very strong platform to push forward with further opportunities in large and small steel drums.