Manufacturer eyes rising turnover

A manufacturing business which designs and produces playground equipment believes it will top £3m turnover next year after moving into a new premises.

Fenland Leisure Products (FLP) supplies climbing frames, swings and slides to the likes of schools and parks, and adult fitness equipment to commercial clients and the Ministry of Defence.

A £200,000 bank loan has seen the Wisbech-based firm move into new 50,000 sq ft facilities with a number of environmentally-friendly features, including rainwater harvesting, which supplies the firm's pressure treatment plant, vehicle washing and staff welfare facilities. A biomass energy system has also been installed and uses the company's waste timber to heat the factory, while an air source heat pump will warm its offices.

FLP, which was founded in 1981 and has 26 staff, said it had seen a 40 per cent increase in sales last year after investing in increasing its manufacturing capacity and had now set its sights on exporting its products to Europe at the start of next year.

Managing director Andrew Sparrow said the firm's "commitment to quality" and ability to manufacture bespoke equipment for customers had spurred a rise in demand.

"We're now in a strong position to target exports in order to drive continued expansion," Mr Sparrow added.

Steve Clarke of Lloyds TSB, which supplied the loan, added: "The businesses that are set to do well in the upturn are those that are able to secure an advantage over their competitors - and Fenland Leisure Products is a great example of a manufacturer which is building its green credentials to stand out from the crowd."