Focus on service leads to success

ALM Products, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is planning to treble its turnover in the next three years.

The company makes cubicle hardware and washroom furniture for the commercial sector, including a range of bolts, hinges, brackets and other aluminium components.

It employs 32 staff and is interviewing applicants to fill ten vacancies.

Leon Jones, business development manager, said ALM had grown 25 per cent year-on-year. It achieved £1.8m turnover last year and is on the way to achieving this year's target of £2.2m.

ALM has set itself the target of hitting £5m turnover by 2006.

In order to achieve this, it has invested in new technology and new products and processes during the past six months.

Planning for the future has included expanding its factory at the Heighington Lane Business Park by 50 per cent to handle the increased demand the company has generated.

It has also indicated it would consider potential acquisitions as a means of growth and had left extra capability to cope with any future purchases.

Mr Jones said the company's success was due to a dedicated push to improve customer service.

He said: "Our obsessive focus on service and customer satisfaction will enable us to grow to a £5m-plus turnover by June 2006.

"The aim is for the business to operate in three diverse markets, with the customer always being the number one priority. While the manufacturing industry in the UK continues to suffer, ALM continues to grow.

"The expansion has been good news for local residents, having generated a 40 per cent increase in workforce."

The announcement of the expansion plans came as the company started its tenth anniversary celebrations.

To mark the occasion, ALM has invested in a factory refurbishment and an overhaul of the firm's logo, corporate colours, workwear and signage.

The company has won a number of accolades in recent years including Manufacturer of the Year and Business of the Year in the Ernest and Young Awards.