Willenhall-based AlphaDrive Engineering Services, which supplies bearings, industrial gearboxes, motors and power transmissions, has more than doubled in size in the past year after winning a number of new orders.

The Black Country business reports that its sales have increased to £320,000 after securing contracts in a wide range of sectors; it is now targeting a turnover of £1 million by 2018.

With assistance from In-Comm Training, the company has also created an in-house training and continuous development plan for all its employees and taken on two new apprentices.

Managing director Anthony Chisholm (pictured right, with Gareth Jones of In-comm Training) said: “We started the business just as the recession was coming to its peak but knew deep down that we could offer customers something different.

“Having spent most of our career involved in engineering services, we recognised the need to improve customer service, to add value to what we do and to be flexible when responding to urgent requirements. This helped us put a business plan together.”

AlphaDrive currently has eight staff — an increase of six in the last year. All of the workers have had access to courses focused on welding, managing health and safety, fork-lifts and first aid, and several members of staff are working towards NVQs in team leadership.

The apprentices are undertaking training both on-site and at In-Comm’s purpose-built workshop in Aldridge.

Gareth Jones, operations director at the training group, said: “We work with more than 200 manufacturers every year, and there has definitely been a surge in the number of firms investing in training.

“AlphaDrive is a great example of a small company trying to be the best it can by unlocking the potential of its people.”