A company making metal products is seeking more apprentices – after celebrating the success of its latest group of young employees.

Honley-based Allsops Precision Sheet Metal hosted a visit by Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney to celebrate the success of the firm’s newly-qualified employees.

He was welcomed by production director Lyndon Tyas – himself a former apprentice who trained at Huddersfield Technical College – and heard how the company is now seeking more apprentices in manufacturing to retain skills in the area.

Last year, the company had places for three apprentices – but could only get one. Allsops hopes to recruit two new apprentices this year to make up the shortfall.

Sales and marketing director Robert Machon said: “Sheet metal work is a very traditional industry – yet we are far from traditional in our approach to

growth and product innovation.

“Our strategy has enabled us to grow the business significantly, becoming a leading business and employer within Yorkshire and winning a place in the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain in 2014.”

The firm, which employs more than 140 staff, was launched in 1959 in Holmfirth by Bob Allsop with the aim of creating a high-quality, high-capacity and highly efficient sheet metal fabrication company to support the growing industries in West Yorkshire.

Until 1990, the company – which began with just three employees – was a traditional sheet metal subcontractor using conventional machine tools.

Throughout the 1990s, Allsops embarked upon a period of rapid expansion – with Paul Goodwin becoming managing director in 1993 and significant investment in the latest technology, automation and state-of-the-art machinery. This now includes fully automated facilities which include the latest robot welding technology.

Its 500-strong customer base includes clients in industries as diverse as defence, travel, retail, energy, communications and manufacturing.

Products include shelving, retail spaces, shipping pontoons, signage, lighting, point-of-sale equipment, cabinets and kiosks.

Said Mr Machon: “Our growth strategy has included a period of rapid expansion of our Honley site and investment in new machinery is a crucial strategy in winning competitive tenders for 2015.

“Allsops needs to be at the cutting edge of technology using the latest advanced energy saving machines.

“Making savings and energy saving efficiencies will in return offer savings to our potential customer quotations. Winning contracts due to the efficiencies of our new machines will also create new roles and promotion within Allsops and our suppliers.

“In return we have increased staffing levels by 10% including overtime and three new apprentices.

“Shop floor employees have advanced to senior office roles and some have made management.

“We continue to recruit the best people for our business and offer an apprenticeship programme giving us access to the Allsops leaders of the future.”