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A subsea robotics engineer has unveiled major expansion plans aimed at smashing a £100 million target.

Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD) is opening a research and development base and sister customer service centre.

Bosses at the Wallsend-headquartered company say the additions, which will create engineering and software development jobs, will help push turnover beyond £100 million while reiterating the business’ place as a “pioneer in its field”.

Known for subsea apparatus such as ploughs, trenchers and remotely-operated vehicles for use on telecoms, oil and gas and renewable energy projects, the company counts Dutch offshore wind operator Van Oord – which recently expanded to Port of Tyne –among its client portfolio.

Mike Jones, SMD chair, said: “We have been around for over 50 years and have weathered many storms, including the dotcom crash and the pandemic.

“Last year, our turnover was £58 million, inclusive of our Shanghai operation, and we have confidence we can double that by 2025.

“We are proud to be based in the North East, and especially on the Tyne, and that won’t change.”

As well as its bricks and mortar expansion, Mike revealed the firm is pressing on with product growth, with its first electric remotely-operated vehicle due to enter the market this year.

He added: “The electric revolution is something we are working hard on, and we have great concepts for more electric vehicles and applications in the pipeline.

“It’s a very exciting time, and we are determined to achieve our goals and continue to be pioneers in our field.”