Stairlift specialist is upwardly mobile

Controlled Speed Engineering, which makes electronic control boards for stair-lifts, is gearing up to hire more staff and increase sales after moving to bigger premises.

The growth is being driven by the Assisted Living products market, which revolves around hi-tech devices that help people with mobility problems to stay in their home.

The company, which designs and makes specialist electronic assemblies, has moved from its old base, in Brighouse, West Yorkshire to Quantum House, in Batley. As a result, capacity has increased from 65,000 to 250,000 units a year.

Turnover, which is about 5m a year, could increase to 20m if the new premises operate at full capacity. The workforce is also expected to grow by 25 per cent, to 50 this year.

The company has been "quietly and consistently" expanding since a management buyout (MBO) in July 2000, which was led by chief executive Phil Burns and Mike Fitzgerald. Since then, Controlled Speed has grown by 20 per cent year on year and Mr Burns acquired Mike Fitzgerald's stake in the business in December 2008.

Mr Burns believes that the growth of the Assisted Living division can be copied in another key area of the business, contract electronic manufacturing. The division, which designs and makes electronic assemblies through partnerships with overseas customers, already accounts for 40 per cent of revenues.

Mr Burns said: "The move to Quantum House, which has been funded by PIF (Partnership Investment Finance) and Co-operative Bank, gives Controlled Speed a whole new dimension.

"The UK is an important centre in global electronics and we are proud to be part of that and proud to be a strong contributor to the local economy."