Insider Media Limited

A Northampton-based manufacturer has almost doubled its profits and re-employed staff who were made redundant during a slump in 2008. Euro Towers said a boost in exports helped it reach a £5m turnover.

Aluminium tower manufacturer Euro Towers said it received help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to recover its profit margin.

The Round Spinney-based company experienced a turnover drop of 70 per cent during the recession in 2008.

Exports formerly accounted for one-third of the firm’s orders, but now make up 50 per cent of the annual turnover which stands at more than £5m.

Sue Verallo, joint owner of Euro Towers, said: "We had to make 36 staff redundant in 2008. Our profits were down and the UK market had slumped. It was a very bleak time for us.

"With UKTI support we were able to translate our websites and brochures into several languages, which helped the company when exhibiting overseas."

Verallo said the Manufacturing Advisory Service trained the company on its computer aided design system and also provided a funding package.

Sharon McCarthy, international trade adviser for UKTI, said: "The company is lovely and has such a family feel so it was extremely sad when business began to drop. You could see the genuine heartache it caused when they had to start letting people go. Being able to work with the company to help them increase their exports has been great.

"It's fantastic news that they are now securing large orders overseas."