Off-shore crane specialist Miko Oilfield Supplies is set to launch a multi-million pound new venture creating an estimated 50 new jobs in the Bradford area, it was announced today.

The Shipley-based company - with a current turnover in excess of £5 million - will launch itself into the domestic market on March 1.

And managing director Keith Osborne, who set up the company with "rags to riches" entrepreneur Brendan Larkin in 1989, is expecting hefty returns.

In the last 11 years the business has established itself as a leader in the supply of cranes and other lifting equipment off shore.

"With the technology and experience we have got, we are going into the domestic market, supplying cranes to other types of on-shore industries," he said.

"The potential turnover on the domestic side could be anything from about £1.5 million to £5 million a year depending on the type of contracts we get.

"And we are looking at expanding the premises and taking on more people. We have about 60 employees at the moment and, if it takes off, we would expect to increase staff by another 50.

"The timescale ideally for me is within the next 12 months but it obviously depends on the market and the sales."

MOS is ISO 9000 accredited and already has the promotion and sales infrastructure in place with established offices in Aberdeen, Texas, and in Singapore.

Staff are currently targeting potential clients which include BNFL.

The company has just finished developing a low-headroom hoist for use in hazardous areas at risk from explosions. But its main sales will be in lifting equipment of all shapes and sizes.

"Basically we can take all the heartache away from the customer," Mr Osborne said. "We will go in, look at his problem and then solve it.

"All the equipment is purpose built for the space envelope the client needs and we have standard designs of hoists which can be adapted.

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