A Bradford windows and doors company was today celebrating its tenth anniversary with the news that it has achieved a record annual turnover of £80.8 million and a 47 per cent rise in profits.

And its chief executive predicted turnover would soon be £100 million.

Style Group plc, which includes the double glazing firm Safestyle UK, has firmly established its position as one of the industry's leading firms following recent rapid growth.

Today chief executive John Ross said the business had seen profits soar to £2.2 million and predicted turnover would rise to £100 million for 2003.

The firm, based in Eldon Place, Bradford, now boasts a national network of 38 offices and a total of 2,500 staff including 250 at its headquarters.

Mr Ross, who founded the firm with a business partner, said the business had grown rapidly every year, with the growth continuing despite the tough recent economic climate.

He said the firm remained committed to Bradford as an "excellent place to do business" and hoped to continue to grow in the city.

Safestyle has seen its share of the replacement window market soar with sales for that business alone totalling £73.5 million for the year.

Mr Ross said the key to the firm's success had been focusing on its core markets rather than following other firms and expanding into alternative home improvements.

"The company has resisted the opportunities to diversify and has remained highly focused on producing and selling the highest quality yet competitively priced windows and doors," he said.

"This is a strong, strategic policy I believe will ensure future growth and profitability for many years to come."

And Mr Ross said the programme of growth would continue. "Our national coverage is now extensive although there is still enormous potential for us to improve our presence in certain areas," he said, "Unlike some of our competitors, we have ten years' experience behind us and we are here to stay.

"Sales for the current year are already ahead of forecast, potentially reaching £100 million by December 31, providing further testament to the strength of the Safestyle brand."

Mr Ross added that all the Style Group's brands had exceeded expectations, included the Barnsley-based Windowstyle manufacturing arm which now employs 500.

The company invested heavily during the year in new technology at the plant to improve efficiency, resulting in a 50 per cent reduction in waste.

And Mr Ross said there were big plans for the recently established Tradestyle division, which was set up in 2002 and achieved a turnover of £2.2 million.

"Recent legislative changes have made small scale manufacturing far less viable," he said, "This has enhanced our view that if the product is right, the market to supply small window retailers and installers provides an excellent opportunity for growth."