A FIRM supplying marble worktops has put in a polished performance to land a place among the finalists in the Huddersfield Business Awards.

Battaglia Marble & Granite Ltd, based at Bay Hall Works, Birkby, was set up just four years ago by brothers Marco and Santo Battaglia to import high quality marble from Italy and shape it to provide top quality worktops for kitchens as well as floors, fireplaces and bathroom fittings such as vanity units.

The firm has installed computerised cutting equipment to boost productivity and has recruited new staff to keep up with demand.

Battaglia supplies retailers and designers in Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds and Manchester. It has also provided marble for individual home improvement projects.

Before setting up on their own, the brothers worked for Cheshire Marble, based in Manchester — when their clients included footballer David Beckham who wanted marble furnishings at his mansion in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Battaglia has its own team of designers who work directly with customers

Said Santo: “We could see that there was a great market for this type of work and plenty of opportunity for new businesses. We gathered all our savings and bought the machinery and forklift trucks that we needed to start the business.’’