Orders up at Surface Transforms

SURFACE Transforms, which produces brakes used in jet fighters and supercars, has seen a sharp rise in orders.

In a trading statement the Ellesmere Port-based business said sales to the defence and aerospace markets had increased by 64% to more than £200,000 in the year to May.

Turnover is expected to be up by 34% to £679,284 when the company reports its full-year figures. Losses, not detailed in this statement, will be higher than last year but ahead of expectations.

The company said the business had £404,275 in the bank at the year-end. Its order book was worth £166,370.

Chairman Kevin D’Silva said: “The board is pleased with the advances in sales to the defence and aerospace sectors within the past year and it expects further progress will be made in these markets within the near future.

“The board remains completely focused on achieving its goals of reducing current losses and achieving a break even position as soon as possible. The severe downturn in the automotive markets since October 2008 have restricted the company’s growth in what would other wise be a year of satisfactory progress.”