TWO hundred new jobs are on offer at a booming Bolton company.

DRL, which runs websites selling home appliances, is taking on 200 people at its base in Horwich.

Jobs include contact centre, sales, audit, marketing, IT and technical roles, along with staff training and recruitment positions. DRL, which runs the Appliances Online and Appliances Deal websites, hit sales of more than £300 million last year.

Founder, John Roberts said: “We’ve seen a big increase in revenue over the past 12 months. However, to deliver this we need to recruit and retain the very best people, and instil and nurture the company values which are essential to our success.

“We are currently recruiting 200 roles across our marketing, IT and call centre teams in Bolton and are the lookout for the cream of the crop — innovative and passionate people who are looking to join a fast-growing, customer-focused business at a very exciting time.”

DRL has its main site at Horwich but also runs a Crewe logistics site and an office in London.

The jobs boost has been welcomed by town hall chiefs and local councillors.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton Council's executive cabinet member for the environment, regulatory services and skills, said: This is great news for Bolton, we are delighted that one of Bolton’s biggest employers is expanding and bringing new jobs and investment to the borough.”

Cllr Stephen Pickup, who represents Horwich and Blackrod ward, added: “I would welcome with open arms the new opportunity offered by this announcement for much needed extra employment in Horwich, particularly in the current economic circumstances in which many residents find themselves. These extra jobs would benefit the residents of Horwich and the wider area greatly.”

The firm, which Mr Roberts founded in 2000, has also just been named as the fourth best company to work for in the country in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies list.

This is higher than any other North West firm and Mr Roberts has been named the second best “leader” in the same survey.

In addition to its own websites , DRL manages websites for big brand clients and also owns a distribution company, Expert Logistics, specialising in the home delivery of white goods. Its clients include Electrolux, Bosch, LG and Hoover Candy.

DRL expressed an interest in buying Comet’s website last year, after the electricals firm announced it was closing its UK branches including those in Bolton and Middlebrook, with the loss of 60 local jobs.

However, the deal never materialised.

Mr Roberts said he was “elated” at the latest success in the Sunday Times ranking.

He added: “It’s a really proud moment for us to have been recognised for our efforts to make DRL a unique and enjoyable place to work. Happy people means happy customers and we will continue to take every step possible in providing our team with the best possible support and working environment.”

The Sunday Times Best Companies lists are based on anonymous submissions from employee surveys. This is the third year running that DRL has been included in the UK’s top-100 businesses.

All the new jobs can be viewed and applied for online by visiting careers.appliancesonline.co.uk. Emails can be sent to careers@appliancesonline.co.uk