GROWING demand from customers across the UK has seen a Bradford engineering firm invest in new equipment as it looks to expand by 40 per cent over the next two years.

Bronte Precision Engineering has bought a large lathe and a milling machine as part of a £400,000 investment programme.

The Low Moor firm bought the £120,000 CNC machines using an asset finance package from Yorkshire Bank.

Bronte specialises in medium and large components for customers producing custom-made products across a range of industries.

Its operations include precision machining, gear manufacture, transmission systems and components, replacement parts for vintage and classic vehicles and for specialist machinery.

Launched in 2003, Bronte has a turnover of £1.2 million and employs 20 people.

Along with an expanded base providing greater capacity and flexibility, the new machines will allow Bronte to manufacture bespoke larger cylindrical components and castings for use on specialist heavy vehicles and machinery.

Stephen Leach, managing director, said: “Since we started, we’ve gone from strength to strength. In the past few years we reached a natural plateau point and so we made the the decision to invest in the company’s future.

“With a new website, along with our expanded shop floor and new machinery, we are putting in place the building blocks for the next stage of the company’s growth.

“Yorkshire Bank recognised our appetite for growth and has been supportive over the course of our nine year relationship.”