HAMPSHIRE-based Custom Keyboards Electronics has just signed a deal worth about £1m over the next three years.

The Owslebury firm says the contract with Chippenham- based Smartronics could also create about ten new jobs as the company designs and manufactures a new management system for the tyre industry.

Custom Keyboards Electronics was set up in 2000 by directors Alan Coppini and John Cook working alongside Custom Keyboards Print, an already established company manufacturing membrane keyboards.

"From the outset we didn't want to be just another electronics sub-contractor - and looked for something different that we could offer," said Mr Coppini.

"Over the past two years this has evolved as we have formed partnerships with several small local companies allowing us to offer the total electronics

solution from design through to manufacture. This allied with proactive production engineering and aggressive purchasing has allowed us to give value for money to all our customers."

Since the start the company has worked with companies including Ford, Kraft Foods and the Newman Haas Indy Cart Motor Racing Team.