AN engineering company aims to triple its growth following rebranding and a move to new £300,000 premises in North Yorkshire.

Atkinson Precision Ltd has relocated from Leeds to a purpose-built factory at Sherburn-in-Elmet, after receiving help and advice from Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

Business adviser Steve Linley worked closely with brothers Mark and John Atkinson, who manage the family-owned business, to give the company a fresh, modern image with the aim of attracting a broader range of clients.

Mr Linley worked with fellow business adviser Bill Powrie to help Atkinson Precision access £75,000 of Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) funding from the DTI towards building the factory. Website design advice was also provided by ICT adviser Charles Potter.

Atkinson Precision's core work had traditionally been making moulds for the automotive industry. However, the £500,000-turnover company was keen to expand its precision work into other sectors such as medical and aerospace.

John Atkinson said: "While we are still heavily involved in the automotive industry, we wanted to diversify into other areas.

"The building we were in was an old mill and as the business expanded it became unsuitable for our needs. We needed a factory that was more streamlined and would project a professional image to potential clients."

He said: "Business Link has been fantastic. Without their help it would have been very difficult for us to get this project off the ground.

"Business Link's Information Centre helped us to find a suitable location and with Steve and Bill's help we were able to see it through to completion. Steve also advised us on changing the company's name from Atkinson Engineering Leeds Ltd to more accurately reflect the breadth of our capabilities."

He said that over the last five years there had been growth of between two and three per cent. With the move and the re-branding, the aim was to increase that to ten per cent.

Atkinson Precision employs 11 people and was established in 1961 by John and Mark's father, Derek Atkinson.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, December 02, 2004