NEW euro coins, due to be introduced in 12 european states in January, look like being a money-spinner for a growing Bolton company.

Maggi & Maggi UK Ltd, of Radcliffe Road, Lever Bridge, services and calibrates electronic coin-handling equipment.

Orders are already flooding in from Eire -- one of the countries taking the euro plunge -- for conversion work on equipment which includes gaming and vending machines and mechanisms for car parks and car washes.

"We are expecting a bonanza," said general manager Joe Pritchard during a visit by Bolton South-east MP Brian Iddon. "The euro is good business for us."

Dr Iddon presented the company with the ISO 9002 certificate it achieved with the help of adviser Malcolm Joels from Business Link North Manchester.

"I am out to promote the growth of small firms and so is the Government," Dr Iddon said after praising the firm's progress since it was established 10 years ago.

Mr Peter Morton, chief executive of Business Link North Manchester, was also on hand when the company celebrated its success.

Mr Pritchard, aged 40, is a Bolton man who was in the Navy for 10 years after leaving Smithills Moor Grammar School.

He later joined an Oldham firm which manufactured electronic validators for a wide range of money-taking machines.

He moved into european sales and in 1990 met Aldo Maggi, a Milan businessman who was interested in starting a UK company.

It was established with two people in Warrington and grew rapidly until a move became necessary in 1996.

The business -- an independent subsidiary of the Italian company -- has continued to develop since the move to Bolton.

The workforce is now 15 and there is a turnover of £700,000 a year.

There has been a £200,000 investment on the site in the last five years.

"We expect a 20 per cent rise in business and personnel in the next year to l8 months," Mr Pritchard said.

He expects demand for the company's services to grow with the advance of the euro.

"There is no doubt in our minds that the UK will eventually adopt the euro," he said. IN THE MONEY: Dr Iddon, left, tries out a change machine watched by Mr Pritchard, centre, and Mr Joels