A Bradford firm has started a new company which has helped its growing sales.

Gizmo Publications, which started four years ago, has seen a 25 per cent growth in sales which have increased nationwide in the last 12 months.

The company, whose directors are Irene Lofthouse and Tony O'Connell, have also left Delaunay House in Little Germany and moved to bigger premises in the Belmont Business Centre, Burnett Street, in Bradford.

The firm has set up Gizware Systems - an electrical vocational tracking system. The Candidate Achievement Tracking System (CATS) helps centres to track NVQ achievement and produce management reports which help with verification of the work of trainees.

Tony O'Connell said today: "Many customers had expressed an interest in such systems, so we thought we would put our vocational experience to good use by developing one.

"The first systems were in place in June last year and were enthusiastically received. So far, we have developed a 3.5 per cent share of the vocational health and social care market, which is excellent.

"Just like Gizmo, Gizware's customer base is nationwide and we have been invited to Northern Ireland to demonstrate the system. The Training Standards Council's recent inspections highlighted the need for centres to ensure accurate, effective tracking and record-keeping - CATS certainly ensures these and we anticipate 100 per cent growth for the Gizware business in the coming year."

The firm, which acquired Waterside Training and Education last year, has developed a wide range of new materials to give it wider markets, such as book shops, to sell its products.

Irene Lofthouse added: "Our growth has meant we have been able to move into new offices and expand our operation. We have increased the number of associates working with us and are in the process of discussing joint projects with other national publishers of health and social care resources."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.