RECORD sales helped profits rise more than a quarter at window blinds manufacturer the Hillarys Group, it announced yesterday.

The group, which employs 300 people at its 70,000sq ft plant in Washington, Wearside, saw sales increase 8.8 per cent to £85.3m in the 12 months ending October 1, up from £78.4m the year before.

Operating profits were up by 27.2 per cent to £13.3m.

It follows a management buyout for £115m in July, which was backed by Change Capital Partners.

James Nicholson, Hillarys chief executive, said: "This has been a tremendous year from start to finish, including the secondary buyout completed in July 2004, and record sales and profit figures at year end.

"We are working with Change Capital Partners on an aggressive five-year plan, with sustained profit growth and increased sales as key targets."

Revenues are already up seven per cent for the first quarter of this year and a 15 per cent increase in profits is expected by October.

The first week in December saw a record 32,000 blinds sold, breaking the group's previous weekly record by 2,000.

The company employs a further 500 workers at its plant in Nottingham and has a national network of 800 self-employed advisors who carry out home visits to potential clients.

Last year, it was named sales operation of the year at the National Business Awards and is through to the finals in three categories of the National Sales Awards.

Mr Nicholson said: "We have invested in our network of advisors, completed the roll-out of our centralised appointment system and built on our Great Place to Work initiative to ensure that our employees are motivated and can deliver the best customer service possible."

Steve Petrow, managing director of Change Capital Partners, said: "We are very pleased with the strong progress made by the Hillarys Group.

"There is a growing retail trend towards customised service and convenience, both of which they epitomise.

"We have been working closely with Hillarys management team to build on the firms strong customer service ethos and continue this promising revenue growth and expansion."