ENERGY technology services firm Proserv is to invest almost £500,000 in upgrading historic Coatbridge premises to help it cater for increasing inter­national demand.

The Aberdeen-based company said the move underscored its commitment to North Lanarkshire "and the region's future prosperity," and comes as it seeks to boost its staff by about 30 in the next year.

Work on the B-listed ­building in the town's Russell Colt Street, known as Lamberton's, is set to start soon and is due to be completed by early next year.

Since 1991 it has been home to KRG Industries, which provides precision engineering services to the oil and gas, aerospace and defence industries. That firm was acquired by Proserv in February from Torishima of Japan, while Proserv itself is being bought by US private equity firm Riverstone Holdings LLC.

The building work will include restoring the roof and building an extension "to accommodate the future growth of Proserv's machining, assembly, test, cladding and coating businesses."

Coatbridge innovator Andrew Lamberton started his engineering works there in 1882.

KRG has a second site in Stockton-on-Tees, and turnover for both facilities grew by nearly 25 per cent from 2013 to about £22.5 million this year.

Brian Kinsey, Proserv's region president for Europe and West Africa, said the business was one of the longest-established in Coatbridge, with its parent company committed to keep investing in its facility there and develop its reputation as a centre of engineering excellence.