Trelleborg has bounced back from the recession and is planning to employ another 50 to 100 people as it moves the production of V rings to Malta.

The company, previously known as Malta Rubber and later Dowty, currently produces O rings for the automotive industry. It is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Trelleborg had been badly affected by the recession, during which its order books had dried up and it had had to lay off some people.

However, it then took up government assistance and jobs were saved as employees were retrained.

The company also invested in research and development and it had now bounced back.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi praised the company and said that Malta should continue to become a high value added hub of manufacturing.

He said that exports in first quarter had registered a 40 per cent growth. This boded well for future.

Trelleborg currently employs 600 people. It produces 5 million O rings a day, 25 million a week and one billion a year.

Since it has been in operation, it has produced 30 billion O rings, which, if placed next to each other, would lead to the moon and back.

The company has a history of long serving people with 61 having been with the company for more than 40 years.

Its employees have been with it for an average of 20 years and collectively share 12,000 years of experience.