Huge boost for Dyson earnings

The group reported operating profits of 190m in 2009, up from 90m in 2008, on sales 23 per cent higher.

Dyson, which became a household name after launching the bagless vacuum, said sales had increased further in the first three months of 2010, thanks to the launch of new hand-held vacuums.

It also unveiled the new Dyson Air Multiplier desk fan in the UK, US and Europe, after a successful launch in Australia.

The group spent 42m on research and development last year and recently announced aims to double the size of its UK engineering team from 350, to 700, under plans to significantly increase its R&D outlay in 2010.

Dyson exports its products to 49 countries, with the US by far its biggest market. But it said the UK had seen a good year in 2009 despite a difficult recession in its home market, with earnings growing, thanks to strong demand for products such as the Dyson Ball upright vacuum and the Airblade hand dryer.

The group also has high hopes for its new desk fan, which uses an air "ramp" instead of blades, after stealing a 64 per cent share of the market since launch in Australia.

Martin McCourt, chief executive of Dyson, said the group had an "unbelievable bank of ideas" for further new products and designs – many of which are outside its traditional vacuum cleaner market.

The firm claims to have filed the second highest number of UK patent applications after Rolls-Royce, having quadrupled its research and development spending since 2005.

Mr McCourt said: "We're 10 times bigger than we were in 2000. We're doubling our engineers so we can continue to grow and invent new machines."

He added: "It demonstrates that Britain can compete in high-tech exports if it invests in long-term research and development."

Dyson employs 2,500 people worldwide and is upping its UK workforce to 1,600.

It has laboratories in Wiltshire specialising in microbiology, as well as fluid, electrical, thermal, acoustic and software engineering.