Gooch & Housego (G&H) (www.goochandhousego.com), the Somerset-based manufacturer of optical components, says that it has traded ahead of expectations, thanks to increased demand.

In the six months to 31 March, the company said that sales growth had been higher than expected, boosted by the strength of the dollar against sterling. Its order book was up 5.8% on last year.

G&H, which has its UK headquarters in Ilminster, recently completed the closure of its facility in Florida and has announced that it plans to re-locate its Palo Alto base in California to improved facilities later this year.

Chief executive Mark Webster said: “The company has performed ahead of expectations in the first six months of the financial year, against a background of generally improving market conditions, and remains well placed for future growth.

"A new management team has put in place a performance improvement programme prioritising operational excellence, business development and R&D; this is progressing well and will help to underpin future performance.”