Bradford wheelie bin producer Helesi UK continues to run its Bowling Back Lane plant at near full capacity to keep pace with growing demand in UK and European markets.

Plans to expand the 30-strong workforce, who make about 500,000 two-wheeled plastic bins a year, remain on the agenda and will be discussed by Bradford plant director Dimitrios Krikkis with group directors in Greece this week.

He said: “The factory continues to work flat out as demand goes on growing. Helesi have earmarked Bradford for future expansion and this will be discussed when I attend meetings in Greece this week.

“In the current economic climate, however, we will not be rushing into making a decision but the intention to expand Bradford remains.”

The firm, part of Helesi Plc the Greek waste management products manufacturer and services supplier, benefited from the group’s strong performance in 2008.

Since October the Bradford factory has been supplying about 500 two-wheeled waste bins a week to Bradford Council. It also supplies four-wheeled trade waste bins for commercial properties.

The breakthrough followed the recruitment of three sales executives with strong local authority contacts. The Bradford factory is also supplying Leeds Council and focusing on winning contracts with local authorities around the UK.

Demand for Helesi’s products and services is being boosted by stricter environmental and recycling legislation being introduced by governments worldwide.

Helesi, which is listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market, says it has strong order books in all its divisions which should help it withstand the global downturn, although the pace of business growth would slow down this year.

The company performed strongly in 2008 with growth continuing into the second half of the year.

In a trading update, Helesi says it expects turnover in 2009 to be approximately £60 million, outstripping the £44 million achieved in 2008.

Although sales grew by 35 per cent year-on-year across all the businesses, profits were slightly below original projections due to higher interest costs.

Helesi’s plants in Bradford and Komotini in northern Greece operated close to capacity, reflecting continued higher demand for its waste containers and pallet boxes from both existing and new markets.

The company is optimistic about prospects as demand for waste containers, which was particularly strong in 2008, spilled over into the first half of 2009.

The group has net borrowings of about £61 million, more than originally projected due partly to the delayed release of government grants and the costs from late payments for waste management products.

But its strong relationships with its bankers allowed the company to continue with its expansion plans, and Helesi believes its ability to increase debt in the middle of the current economic crisis reflects a vote of confidence by the banks in the company.

It has recently moved £14 million of debt which was due for repayment in 2009 into a long-term facility.