Staff who bravely took over a firm which was shutting down in Keighley have seen their hopes, faith and hard work rewarded this year.

Faced with the axe when Lucas Control Systems decided to close the town's Ingrow Bridge Works, directors, managers and shop floor staff ploughed their hard-earned savings into NSF Controls.

The new firm was set up after a management buy-out of the Lucas company. One year on and NSF is doing well by developing new products and exploring different markets.

The firm offers the widest range of solenoid and switch products from a single source anywhere in Europe and produces parts used in the luxury car market and hospital equipment sector.

The company has seen rises in turnover and its workforce since the management buy-out.

It forecast an end-of-year turnover of £1.9 million which turned out to be £2.6 million.

The firm expects to continue to grow and is projecting a growth rise of 10 per cent for the coming year with orders worth £800,000 already confirmed.

When the buy-out took place, the firm employed 56 staff. Now it has 80 on its books.

The company has also made improvements to the site, increased efficiency and improved the quality of its plant and equipment with a grant from the Single Regeneration Budget.

Sales and marketing director Doug Priestley said today: "Our high quality product core and good name have been a firm foundation on which to consolidate the business.

"With innovative products set to enter the market and a determined, resourceful workforce to back them up, NSF can continue to grow and create more jobs in Keighley.''

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