Dewsbury-based robotics specialist Sewtec (www.sewtec.co.uk) is aiming to double its turnover to £32 million in five years, as it embarks on a growth plan following a management buy-out (MBO) in August last year.

The company designs and manufactures factory automation systems for global clients in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and tobacco industries, with more than 85% of its sales going to export markets.

In the first three months of 2018, it won orders worth £10 million from customers in the UK, Ireland and the USA, and it created eight new jobs in engineering, manufacturing and sales.

The company expects to double the number of engineering and manufacturing jobs over the next five years, which would see its workforce grow to more than 120.

Managing director Mark Cook said: “We have had an excellent start to the year, and we intend to maintain our momentum.

"Actively implementing the first phase of our sustainable growth strategy through our rebrand and our new Web site, along with the robust sales performance so far this year, shows the enormous potential that Sewtec has to expand its reach and range of applications throughout the world.

"This is given further impetus by the increasing requirement globally for automation across all manufacturing and production processes.

“Our plan to double our turnover to £32 million is ambitious, but it is achievable, particularly when you consider the extraordinary skill and dedication of our people in all aspects of the business.

“We have a global reputation for solving highly complex problems, being natural innovators and providing an excellent customer experience.”

Sewtec’s MBO was led by the management team of technical director Gary Day, controls director Karl Conqueror and sales director Paul Johnson. It was backed by private-equity firm Endless.