Stourbridge-based Quality Blasting is looking to take its turnover to new heights and expand its factory space, following the appointment of a new general manager.

Andy Tarr took over the helm after the business was acquired last year by Coventry-based metal-finishing firm ActOn Ventures.

Quality Blasting (www.qualityblasting.com) was formed in Birmingham during World War Two to shot-blast artillery shells, later moving to its current Stourbridge base, where it undertakes a variety of domestic and commercial finishing jobs for around 80 customers.

Mr Tarr is planning to use his more than 36 years of engineering experience to propel the firm’s turnover past the £1 million mark.

He said: “This is a business that has been trading at a stable level for some time, but there is so much potential for it to develop further.

“We are currently trading out of two 5,000ft² units, but we have a third one that we are looking to capitalise on.

“Customers often come to us for one service, then have to find somebody else for the next stage of the finishing process, and that is something we are striving to change.

“We have a team of 11 people that are currently managing around 30 jobs a week; a lot of work has gone into improving our efficiency levels, so that we’ll be ready to tackle an increase in orders.”

Sid Gulati, managing director of ActOn Ventures, said: “Quality Blasting is a well-run business that has built up a solid reputation in the industry, so when the opportunity arose to purchase the firm, we knew it was the ideal investment to expand into a new area and grow.

“It was important that we appointed somebody with the drive to take the business to the next level, and Andy’s vision for how he wants to grow the business proves he is the right man.”