A CROSSFLATTS-based company is celebrating 20 years of trading this month.

Racks Industries Ltd, which specialises in industrial storage, has been a major local employer since it was set up in 1995.

The business focuses on heavy-duty cantilever racking design and manufacture.

Sister company Mezzanine Industries Limited was created in 2005 to open up a new selection of products, find potential new customers and increase the manufacturing skills base.

Racks Industries has continued to expand its product range across all sectors, but the firm's bosses stress they aren’t resting on their laurels.

Managing director, Chris Wilson, said: “We have exciting plans for the future, building on the excellent work undertaken during the past three years, which has seen us grow back significantly from the low point in the recession.

"We have worked hard during the past few years to develop the business, gaining recognition from awarding bodies, which reflects both the standard of our products and the quality and commitment of the workforce.

"This has, in addition, helped to grow demand for our standard products and opened new avenues of business, which we are now looking to explore.

"We are fully committed to operating out of the Bradford and Airedale manufacturing area and, as we grow, will create further employment opportunities for both skilled workers and apprentices. We have recently completed the training for three apprentices, and continuation of the apprenticeship schemes for young people is part of our ongoing plan.”

Mr Wilson's satisfaction with how the company had responded to the recession was echoed by sales director, Darren Hibberd, who added: “It was a hard time for the manufacturing sector and many firms didn’t fare as well as we have.

"We used the economic slowdown as an incentive to revamp our advertising and online presence, which kept our brand visible.

"When the upturn began, that was reflected in increased sales to both existing and new clients. Overall, it proved to be a positive move, which paid off in the long term.”

Racks already holds the prestigious ISO 9001 Quality Award and the European-wide CE Mark, along with health and safety awards from Construction Line, CHAS and EuroSafe.

The firm, which is based in Unit 8 at Crossflatts' Castlefields Industrial Estate, is currently working on adding the ISO 14001 Environment and 18001 Health & Safety Awards to its list of accreditations.

The business exports to mainland Europe, the USA and beyond, supplying cantilever racking to clients across the globe.