A Somerset-based optical components manufacturer, Gooch & Housego has been selected to be part of the Sharing in Growth programme — a Government-backed initiative to help companies win more aerospace business.

Under the scheme, it will take part in a four-year training and development programme focused on “leadership, culture and operational excellence”.

Gooch & Housego is now aiming to double the turnover from its three UK manufacturing sites to more than £70 million by launching a £7 million business transformation programme, backed by the Regional Growth Fund.

The plants in Ilminster and Torquay in the South West, together with Glenrothes in Scotland, employ a total of 365 people.

The company won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the innovation category earlier this year for its Fiber-Q device, which accurately modifies and controls laser beams.

Alex Warnock, chief operating officer at Gooch & Housego, said: “Having successfully diversified our expertise into the aerospace and defence sector, we are keen to capitalise on the huge opportunities that exist for our advanced technology.

The Sharing in Growth programme offers us the opportunity to strengthen our business-process capability and drive manufacturing efficiencies that will help us win new business and secure a bright future for our customers and staff.”

Sharing in Growth chief executive Andy Page said: “We are delighted to welcome Gooch & Housego to the programme. They have leading-edge technology and an impressive customer portfolio and we are keen to help them fulfil their world-class manufacturing and business ambitions.

“With our support, the first 26 companies on the programme have secured over £1.15 billion in contracts to date — around 20% of which is for direct export.”