A NEW £300,000 kiln has been installed at the York Handmade Brick Company, at Alne, near Easingwold to celebrate the company's 15th birthday in style.

The company, which now claims to run the most modern small brick-making factory in the UK, was bought by chairman and managing director David Armitage in June, 1988. Today its turnover approaches £2 million a year and it employs 28 local staff.

The new "moving head" computer-controlled kiln is the latest investment in a programme which has seen more than £1.5 million pumped into buildings and equipment in those 15 years.

Mr Armitage described the arrival of the kiln in time for the 15th birthday as "a happy co-incidence." It will enable the company to fire birches more quickly, flexibly and efficiently, enabling him to break into new markets.

"We have already made our mark in California, Japan and East Germany and we'll be looking to strengthen our presence there - and elsewhere in the world, as well as the UK self-build market."

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, May 27, 2003