Perth-based Edwards Engineering, which serves a wide range of sectors, announced a 28% increase in turnover — from £7.5 million to £9.6 million — in its end-of-year results.

Operating from a 45,000ft² site with extensive fabrication facilities, the 50-year-old firm was acquired through a management buy-in (with support from existing management) in August 2016.

In the last three years, its revenues have doubled and staff numbers have increased from 48 to 62, with apprentices now making up a fifth of the 40-strong engineering workforce.

Ben Carter, chief executive of Edwards Engineering (www.edwardsengineering.co.uk), said: “Investment in our project management capability has resulted in us being able to take on the principal contractor role on larger projects.

"We are seeing strong growth in the malting industry and in grain processing. We have worked closely with Kingdom Farms to deliver a new seed-processing facility at Balgonie Estates near Glenrothes, and with the Muntons team on their malting germination bed replacement in Stowmarket.

"The successful completion of a £4 million project with Superglass Insulation — to install a new furnace building at Stirling — doubled its annual production capacity of glass wool.

“We recognise that no two projects are the same and that we need to adopt a flexible approach.

Combining the multi-skilled capabilities of our in-house design and fabrication facility with the on-site installation of complex projects has directly contributed to the doubling of our sales figures in the last three years.

"We are planning continued investment in our technical and project management capabilities to underpin further growth, as we work towards our target of a £20 million turnover.”

Managing director Sandy Kirk said: “We are very proud of our successful apprenticeship scheme, which delivers both knowledge and employability.

"We ensure that the apprentices’ skill sets are honed in-house, through working alongside our experienced engineers, project managers, draftsmen, site operatives and highly skilled fabricators.”