A Morgan three-wheeler – a retro model successfully reintroduced by the prestige British sports car builder – will take centre stage at the opening of a Shipley factory extension in a couple of weeks.

Components designed and produced by Centa Transmissions Ltd in Thackley Old Road are an integral part of the new model of which Morgan has sold more than 1,000 since its launch at the Geneva Motor Show two years ago.

Morgan turned to Centa to help it iron out technical problems with the drive transmission system of the vehicle and Centa’s skilled engineers reworked the three-wheeler’s cushion drive. The firm is now a key Morgan supplier.

Bob Arnott, Centa’s managing director, said: “We solved a problem for Morgan which has helped them refine their product and has provided a new business stream for us. Applying our expertise in an innovative way to solve problems is key to our success. We’re also now doing gearboxes for Morgan as well.

“Over the years we have built up a strong reputation for quality design and manufacture together with providing a quick turnaround – an average of ten days – and in many areas we are a leader in our field.”

The formal opening later this month of Centa’s latest 400 sq m extension, taking its total space to 1,500 sq m, is part of a recent £1 million investment programme which also includes new state-of-the-art CNC machinery.

The extension has enabled Centa to restructure its production and storage facilities, increase output and meet its growth objectives.

Around 100 suppliers, customers and other guests will attend the event at which a commemorative plaque will be unveiled by Centa’s owner Karin Kirschey-Bolten, whose father Gerhard was joint founder of the business with Jeremy Tucker in 1979.

“It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this and it is gratifying that so many people want to come, including some from as far away as Kent,” said Bob, who joined the company in 1997 and has more than 40 years’ experience as a skilled engineer which sees him still directly involved in product design and development which now uses 3D modelling.

When he arrived – after working in engineering sales jobs around the world – Centa had a £2 million turnover and this has grown steadily to around £5 million today.

Bob said the company, which employs 30 people, had benefited from having a diverse customer base and from being flexible and innovative.

“If demand in one area falls away, others take up the slack. We didn’t really suffer from the recession but in 2008 our turnover dipped when construction suppliers felt the draught in that sector but work in other sectors filled the gap. In fact, despite the lower turnover, we achieved record profits in 2008.

“Although we employ two sales people, the vast majority of our work comes through recommendation or is repeat business We have earned a high level of respect among our customer base and our expertise is highly regarded, which is a very satisfying position to be in,” said Bob.

Centa’s range of 26 products include several bespoke components developed to overcome technical hitches or a particular client, several of which have since become standard items.

Bob’s desk is covered with technical drawings and plans – a clear sign that innovation remains at the heart of Centa’s operation The firm develops and makes components for around 800 customers in sectors including automation, construction plant, renewable energy, mining, military vehicles and equipment, processing, telecommunication, transport and utilities and marine.

Its core business is based on flexible couplings for all types of industrial equipment, plant and marine vessels, complemented by high precision gears, gearboxes and electromagnetic clutches.

Most of Centa’s business is with companies in the UK and ireland, with about 13 per cent being of products sold overseas. The company is a regular supplier to a leading brand of construction equipment whose machinery is synonymous with excavators and other heavy kit.

Centa got bus-maker Volvo out of a hole during the London 2012 Olympics when the air-conditioning system on buses to be used to ferry thousands of visitors around the capital developed a problem. Its engineers responded quickly to overcome the technical hitch with the firm ultimately supplying 700 components to Volvo. Centa has also developed a component for the new ‘Boris buses’ – restyled Routemaster vehicles featuring an open passenger platform at the rear.

From canal boats to large ships, Centa has opened up a market in the leisure and marine sector, developing flexible couplings for small boats whose success led to contracts for equipment for larger vessels. More than half a million marine flexible couplings are in use every day and the number is rising, and Centa is gaining a growing reputation for its marine drives.

Bob said: “Many small boat owners are not so technically minded and there was an opportunity to develop a product to improve the performance and reliability of smaller craft. Our carbon fibre composite drive shaft for boats was more successful than we expected and we have since developed a product for use in larger marine applications. Our work in this sector means that we are ahead of the game.”

Another emerging business area is renewables. Centa has 25 years’ experience in design, development and manufacture of coupling systems for wind turbines and was one of the pioneers in this market. Today, the company’s product range is among the most comprehensive in the wind power and power-generation market.

A new area of focus is developing equipment for underwater turbines which harness the sea’s power to generate electricity.

Centa’s products are key to reducing or eliminating noise and vibration in power transmission systems, including couplings, gearboxes and brakes for mechanical power transmissions, along with mechanical drives for diesel engines, hydraulic and electric motors.

Ten million Centa couplings are used worldwide with a further half million added every year.

Precision engineering demands highly-skilled people and Bob is conscious that the industry faces a skills shortage as an ageing workforce retires and others have left the sector through redundancy in the tough times.

Many of Centa’s workforce are long-serving and a few have been with the firm since its inception, so Bob is keen to ensure continuity of skills through apprenticeships. The firm has two engineering apprentices, including 22-year-old former St Bede’s pupil Andrew Jackson, who was apprentice of the year at Bradford College.

This week, Centa is taking part in an event at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham – one of many trade shows at which it promotes and demonstrates its technology. A special area for exhibition materials for various product areas is set aside at the works in readiness for new opportunities to show its wares to potential customers.