Aluminium company's aim as it celebrates landmark

However, management at the Hull-based Eltherington Group stressed that their main focus will be on internal investments as the economy starts to recover.

The family-owned company, which has 150 staff and turnover of more than 20m, provides a range of aluminium products, including cladding for caravans. Its roots are in Hull's fishing trade – the Eltherington family started out supplying ship timber in the 1950s.

Antony Eltherington, the company's managing director, said the economy had "definitely turned a corner".

He added: "The caravan section of the company has experienced some growth as more people have chosen to have caravan holidays to keep costs down."

However Mr Eltherington said caravans were a "luxury item" with a big price tag, which meant some consumers might be cautious about buying them.

He added: "The construction and modular sections of the company will find it difficult in the coming years as costs are cut.

"The company's three to five year plan is to invest internally on equipment and processes, to develop key products to suit the market needs, and invest in staff development."

The company was founded by James Edward Eltherington, a Hull-born sole trader, who had started his business career supplying timber for the shipping industry.

In the late 1950s he obtained a patent for boards made from aluminium.

He established Eltherington with his son Graham, who is the current group chairman. It original home was a Georgian house with a workshop attached on the corner of Pemberton Street and Dansom Lane, in Hull.

During the early 1960s aluminium became popular and Eltherington started producing suites of mouldings to meet customers' needs.

In the early 1970s the company introduced a range of colours for pre-painted aluminium sheets, which were used in the caravan industry.

In 1972 planning permission was granted for a new factory which helped the company to grow rapidly.

During the 1980s, the company concentrated on product development.

It installed PVCu frame construction machinery, which enabled it to manufacture doors, windows and conservatories.

The caravan division continued to expand and by 1988 Eltherington was supplying its products to 35 per cent of the UK caravan industry.

In 2003 Eltherington formed two operating companies which were supported by the parent company Eltherington Group. Eltherington Industries operates in the caravan and modular markets, while Eltherington Aluminium looks after the building and architectural aluminium cladding market.

Although Eltherington's original base no longer exists, the company operates on the same site. It includes a factory and warehouses covering more than 5.5 acres.

Antony Eltherington, who is the founder's grandson, added: "We continue to invest in manufacturing best practice and the development of innovative products.

"We will be celebrating this year by arranging events that recognise the relationships we have developed with key long-term customers, suppliers and all our staff."

Recently, Eltherington Aluminium was commissioned by Structal-Rinaldi UK to supply stainless steel feature columns and entrance feature for its Leeds development.

Eltherington has also supplied fire-resistant panels on behalf of Gunn Lennon Fabrications for commercial offices in the Irish town of Cork.

Proud of its city roots

The Eltherington Group is proud of its Hull roots and is holding "open factory days" throughout the year to mark its 50th birthday.

The company also works with local charities such as the Dove House Hospice, which is looking to raise funds to buy a respite holiday home.

The firm's initial growth was driven by the fishing industry's demand for aluminium products in the early 1960s.

The trawler companies saw the advantages of using aluminium because it was lighter, more hygienic and more robust than timber.

As a result, Eltherington's started to build up stocks of the metal and created a new range of opportunities for substituting timber products with aluminium.

Caravan companies, which had traditionally used plywood sheets for external panelling, also started to use aluminium because it was waterproof and more robust.