PLASTICS engineering company BARKSTON Limited has celebrated its second birthday since its management buyout with a huge increase in turnover.

The Westhoughton-based company has announced turnover of £8.3 million - up by 24 per cent on its previous trading figures prior to the buyout in April, 2003.

Barkston was bought out by its management team of managing director Tim Kiernan, commercial director Steve Rock, and Roy Kitchman, sales director.

Before the buyout, the company had traditionally focused on the warehousing, distribution and manufacture of plastic goods in line with customer requirements. Since the buyout, Barkston has expanded into new markets and developed its own product ranges.

The management team has enhanced the existing areas of business, opening a new facility in Newcastle and doubling the size of its Hull premises.

It has also won several lucrative contracts with companies such as Coca-Cola, EQPack and Serfilco, and formed partnerships with house hold names such as Perspex.

Mr Kiernan said: "We are delighted to be celebrating our second birthday with such excellent financial results.

"Last year was an exciting year for Barkston and saw the company expand in to some new and exciting markets.

"We hope to be able to build on these excellent results in 2005 and continue to break all of our previous records."