Major extension work was carried out at Asquith Butler's purpose-built factory at Brookfoot to meet the increased demand for its machines worldwide.

The UK's only designer and manufacturer of large capacity machining centres has been trading for more than 150 years.

Its new-look factory at Spring Vale Industrial Estate has new machining and assembly areas.

In addition, it also has extra office space for the design, applications and sales engineers.

Paul Hinchliffe, managing director, said: "The change in the company's fortunes has been meteoric.

"It has been achieved through having the courage and audacity to take up the challenge of regaining our domineering market position, combined with the competence and determination to move the business forward."

Asquith Butler was jointly bought from the Marbaix Group just five years ago by Paul Hinchliffe with Kingsbury Jig & Tool Group.

The aim was to increase the manufacture of large capacity milling machines for the world market.

Since then turnover has increased five-fold and thriving markets have been reopened in the UK, India, Europe and the US.

A joint manufacturing venture has also just been launched in India with Sharpline Automation Ltd – based in Mumbai and Pune – to build some of the standard range of machines.

Asquith Butler's markets include the oil and gas industries as well as nuclear, defence, marine operations, aerospace and automotive industries and heavy general engineering.

Mr Hinchliffe said: "The future is good.

"While in the UK the demand for new machines is fairly static, the demand for refurbished machines continues to grow.

"Worldwide the dem-and for new machines is increasing and we expect this trend to continue as well as seeing a strong up-turn in demand for refurbished machines, particularly in North America.

"We will continue to develop our range, our capability and our facilities to meet the market demands and secure our place as the premier manufacturer of large capacity precision machining centres worldwide."