Qualceram Shires plc, which has an acrylics plant and warehouse in Bradford, has announced that group turnover is up by 137 per cent.

The firm, which has its head office in County Wicklow, Ireland, manufactures ceramic bathroom products.

The firm, which employs around 150 staff in Bradford, announced turnover of £99 million up from £41.7 million in 2000. John O'Loughlin, chief executive of Qualceram Shires plc said, said: "Qualceram Shires plc has achieved significant progress in a challenging environment particularly in the second half of 2001.

"We have also succeeded in achieving cost efficiencies and increased competitiveness across the group. "We are confident that a continued focus on cost reduction combined with a more aggressive approach in the UK market will drive growth for the group going forward."

Established in 1988, the company now supplies "everything inside the bathroom door".

The Shires group of companies, acquired by Qualceram in September, 2000, is long established in the bathroom industry.

Founded in 1934, the group now includes two sanitary ware plants in Stoke-on-Trent, a shower enclosure factory in Rochdale, Lancashire, and a fireclay and terracotta plant in Darwen, Lancashire.

The Qualceram Shires group employs more than of 1,000 people between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

2001 was the first year the results of Shires Limited and Shires (Ireland) Limited were fully consolidated into those of the group.