An employment scheme for disabled people has come up trumps - after hitting serious problems several years ago.

The Industrial Services Group was set up in April 1997 following the disbanding of ISCO 5, a joint venture which Bradford Council ran in partnership with Calderdale Council.

Bradford Council now has responsibility for the two factories at Paddock House and Venlo Industrial Estate, off Tong Street. Council officers say improvements are continuing in the performance of the sheltered scheme.

It is estimated the group will have saved £28,000 by March and has healthy trading figures.

There has been better estimating, production planning and control, and reduction in overheads. A big increase in sales of PVCu doors and windows made at the Frizinghall factory has been another key factor.

The savings will be carried forward into the new financial year to help fund improvements.

Regeneration committee chairman Coun Dave Green said today: "The overall trading position at Industrial Services Group is very encouraging and represents a steady improvement in performance since its relaunch by the Council nearly two years ago.

"The Council is fully committed to the work of the enterprise in providing valuable employment opportunities for disabled people and its success is all the more impressive as it operates within a commercial situation.

"As with any successful business enterprise, managers will continue to monitor and review performance."

The group is preparing its business plans for the coming year and hopes to branch out into the manufacture of high quality timber doors. It is also carrying out a feasibility study on recycling old computers.

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