AN Aire Valley international manufacturer is on a recruitment drive to fill nearly 60 vacancies at its UK headquarters to keep pace with continuing expansion.

Acorn Stairlifts has grown to become the world’s biggest company solely involved in the manufacture, direct sale and installation of stairlifts and now employs more than 800 people in the UK and exports to around 80 countries worldwide.

In the last five years, Acorn has invested more than £8 million in new plant and machinery and its factories manufacture more than one million components a year. An Acorn Stairlift is installed somewhere in the world every nine minutes. .

With an annual turnover of nearly £150 million, the company also has wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Belgium and Ireland. Exports accounted for nearly two-thirds of its revenues last year.

The Steeton-based company, which was founded in 1992, is seeking recruits in various roles, including sales, administration, manufacturing and field engineers.

Ged Tyson, Acorn recruitment specialist, said: “We’ve been recruiting continuously to meet the demands of our fast-growing business. In the past year alone we’ve increased the size of our export team by 50 per cent.

“We now have another 60 roles to fill immediately at our Steeton head office and manufacturing facility. Many of these are permanent full-time positions, while some are part-time or temporary roles which could suit people with other commitments.”

Several large recruitment banners and posters have gone up around Acorn’s base on Steeton’s Millennium Business Park, close to the railway station. The company is keen to attract local candidates who might not know about the multinational business on their doorstep.

Training manager Guillermo Aznàrez said: “We recognise that our people are our biggest asset. New starters undergo a comprehensive company induction before training for their specific role and there are lots of opportunities for further training and career development. Several of our senior people have been promoted from within as the company has grown.”

Acorn Stairlifts has recently celebrated several award wins, including for the innovative and world-class design of its products and a three-year partnership with West Yorkshire Trading Standards.

Full details of the current job vacancies and how to apply can be found at: careers.acornstairlifts.com, or by calling in person to Acorn Stairlifts, Telecom House, Millennium Business Park, Steeton, for more information.