COSWORTH Technology's Worcester foundry is gearing up for the next stage of its multi-million pound expansion plan.

Phase D of the development will soon start on the Shire Business Park in Warndon.

The building work will expand the foundry by a further 60,000 sq ft, and new operatives are needed.

On completion, phase D will be dedicated to the development of new casting technology before the equipment is transferred at a later date to the Technology Development Centre.

Andy Gibbs, director of foundry operations for Cosworth Technology, said the Worcester foundry had, for 20 years, led the way in manufacturing cylinder heads and blocks for race and road car engines.

"The patented Cosworth Technology process enables castings to be made with fewer impurities in them, making them of a much higher quality and durability," he said.

"Currently our threats are from the imitation of our process, low cost manufacturing in third world countries and from the efforts of the purchasing fraternity world-wide."

He said to combat this, the firm was developing an alternate technology to retain quality while cutting capital and operating costs.

The new process will allow large numbers of components to be manufactured at the same time.

"Our expansion will help us achieve these plans," he added.

"These are exciting times for us."

Mr Gibbs said finding the right staff for the expanded foundry had proved difficult.

Sixteen new positions have been created by the international firm, which has arms in Northampton, Wellingborough and Novi, Michigan, in America.

"The exciting growth plans for Cosworth Technology present us with a great challenge in obtaining the right people to fill a number of vacancies," said Ashley Portlock, human resources manager.

"Past experience has shown that finding suitably skilled employees is far from easy, but we are confident that our excellent reputation as an employer and superb career prospects we can offer will attract the right people."

The Worcester site is already working on engine parts for Rover, the Land Rover Freelander and Jaguar S Type and XK8.