A precision engineering company described as one of West Yorkshire's best-kept manufacturing secrets has clinched a multi-million dollar deal to supply flight control machined parts and assemblies for new commercial aircraft.

Otley-based Produmax Ltd, overcame strong competition from rivals in China and India and will supply components to US-based Moog Aviation.

Moog Aviation is providing the design, integration and support for key systems which control the primary and secondary surfaces, horizontal stabiliser, leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps in response to pilot commands on a range of commercial aircraft.

Produmax managing director Jeremy Ridyard, who runs the business with his wife Mandy, described winning such a contact as a “shot in the arm for British manufacturing”.

The company also develops manufacturing techniques for a wide range of industries. including medical, oil and gas and telecommunications. Clients include Bombardier, GE Aviation, Ronaldsway and Goodrich Aviation.

Mr Ridyard said: “This high-profile international contract with Moog is a ringing endorsement of the quality of the work that we do at Produmax. It also underlines the importance of investment in both capital equipment and people, which we believe is the key to our success.”

Mr Ridyard led a management buy-out of Produmax in 1997 and opened a new 5,000 sq ft factory at Yeadon, near to Leeds Bradford Airport in 2009, to cope with growing demand.

“Turnover has increased in line with investment. Last year, for example, we invested £1 million in machinery and our turnover increased by over 30 per cent to £4.7 million, the highest in our history. Investment in people is an integral part of our business plan both for current and new employees including a successful apprentice programme.

“Our superior knowledge in machining materials, including hardened steel, titanium and aircraft grade aluminium alloys, enables us to design and develop components as well as advise customers on solutions to problems as they arise.

“It is our aim to maintain double-digit year-on-year growth and increase our manufacturing output, which will lead to new jobs and the opening of a new manufacturing facility.”

Mr Ridyard praised Yorkshire accountants Garbutt & Elliott who advise Produmax, saying: “We have an excellent relationship with Garbutt & Elliott, who provide first-class business advice and support for all aspects of our business. It is crucial to have talented people looking at the big financial picture as we concentrate on what we are best at, engineering.”

Nigel Shaw, Garbutt & Elliott partner, added: “Produmax is a tremendous Yorkshire success story, with which we are delighted to be associated. I think it is impressive that critical parts of a new state-of-the-art international airliner are being supplied from a Yorkshire manufacturer. Produmax is one of the region’s best-kept manufacturing secrets.”