A Keighley metalworking firm has outgrown its headquarters just 12 months after being set up.

Phoenix Display Fabrications began life in a 1,650 sq ft industrial unit manned by a dedicated workforce of four.

Today its directors, Mike Walker and Yam Mohammed, are busy preparing to move their 11 employees to a warehouse in the same street, almost four times that size.

Phoenix's rapid expansion is a testament to the partnership of the two men.

Having met thirty years ago while working at a Saturday job, the pair have always remained good friends despite their differing professional backgrounds.

While Mike set out upon a career in the welding/fabrication trade, Yam began studying as a chartered accountant. Mike went on to manage several small companies and to specialise in shop display metalwork, Phoenix's central business.

After qualifying, Yam worked as a manager in the manufacturing field before becoming a financial controller at an accountancy practice. He then moved onto work in regulatory reporting at the Halifax - a role he maintained until Phoenix was fully established.

Yam explained: "We have a great deal of belief and trust in each other and that is vital in a successful business. Mike has his expertise in sales and the technical side and I take care of finances."

The pair, who are 50/50 stakeowners in the company, have swiftly built a good reputation in the field and now list Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and House of Fraser among their satisfied customers.

They have also launched a sister firm called the Keighley Powder Company Ltd as an offshoot of Phoenix.

Yam explained: "The last part of the production process is the dry powder coating and we were initially contracting this outside of the firm.

"It was expensive and we were not happy with the results sometimes. If there were delays in them getting it done, it took production out of our control."

The coating firm will have its own space at the new Parkwood Street which is in the midst of its £106,000 revamp.

Yam said the move was made possible by a £25,000 Single Regeneration Budget grant.

"There is no doubt this helped accelerate our development and allowed us to move earlier than we otherwise would."

He said the firm was looking to employ three or four new workers to man the powder-covering plant but added that he envisaged more recruitment shortly afterwards.

"Keighley has had problems with industry but there are good worker here. There is the belief here needed to continue expanding."