A NATIONAL survey measuring company growth has given a boost to Hampshire trading.

GW Martin Machining Specialists, at Eastleigh, have said The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer has given them a welcomed boost to their firm’s confidence.

The results showed 61 per cent of companies interviewed had reported an increase in sales over the last six months and 76 per cent expected to grow between now and the end of the year – up to 9 per cent improvement on the same period last year.

Stuart Yalden, Managing Director, said: “We are positive about the future and pleased to report a healthy order book to take us well into the next year.

"This gives us the confidence to commit to our investment strategy to develop the business with new equipment and systems, and importantly investment in the skills of our team.”

Steven Barr, Head of MAS, said: “As part of the long-term focus, we asked respondents about their biggest strengths, with the quality of senior leadership teams (68 per cent) coming out on top, followed by innovative products (66 per cent) and robust strategy (61 per cent).

“The biggest challenge stills is access to skills (71 per cent), whilst marketing and creating effective sales channels were the next major concerns. We will work with partners like GrowthAccelerator and SEMTA to help SME manufacturers overcome these challenges.”