Perth-based Edwards Engineering —a specialist in mechanical, electrical and structural engineering — has outlined plans to increase its turnover to £20 million in the next three years.

The company has customers in the manufacturing, food and drink, agricultural and construction sectors. It was bought from the founding family in August 2016 by investment group Cartalex and has since expanded at a rate of around 20% a year.

Chief executive Ben Carter said Edwards Engineering was eyeing acquisitions as a way to continue its expansion — in particular, companies that can improve the breadth and depth of its technical offering, while extending its geographic reach within the UK (www.edwardsengineering.co.uk).

He said: “When we bought Edwards two and a half years ago, we saw a solid reputation to build upon, with a multi-skilled and committed team.

“We want to steadily grow the business and make selective acquisitions in the engineering sector UK-wide.

“We are looking at businesses that either have succession issues or are non-core to bigger engineering groups, where we can realise significant revenue synergies through further investment and improvements in productivity.”

Edwards currently employs 60 people and has annual sales of around £7.5 million. Key recent projects include the installation of a new furnace building and ancillary equipment at Superglass in Stirling, plus the upgrade of the malthouse at Crisp Maltings’ Port Gordon site.

The company has also provided services for the new grain-processing facilities for Alexander Harleys Seeds, Alexander Inglis & Son and Moray Estates.