A Caerphilly manufacturer, named as the second-fastest growing firm in Wales, has said its success is down to its workers.
Direct Healthcare Services, based on Western Industrial Estate, grew by 445.3% from 2010 to 2012 with its UK revenues for this year estimated at £7 million.
The company has been named as the second-fastest growing firm in Wales on the 2013 Fast Growth 50 list.
The firm, which manufactures a range of healthcare products to ease pressure sores, was also named as the fasted growing firm in health and educational services.
Graham Ewart, Managing Director of Direct Healthcare Services, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised as both the second-fastest growing firm in Wales, in addition to the fastest growing firm in health and educational services.
“Being in Wales has been, and will continue to be, absolutely fundamental to the growth and success rate of the business.
“This is primarily because it has given us access to a workforce in Caerphilly that is highly skilled in quality processes and vastly experienced in pressure area care production.
“Due to the dedication of our team, we have become widely acknowledged as the leading foam mattress supplier in the UK pressure area care market.
“We have recognised that innovation has effectively stagnated the market and by creating our own hybrid solution, we have successfully defined our own market space.
“The priority over the next five years is to increase market share and become well-established in key export markets. Other plans include more research and development, improving the product range and expanding manufacturing.”
Mr Ewart said the company’s success was also down to staff’s work ethic and cited an example of one employee without relevant experience who was willing to learn.
He explained: “There is one chap who, throughout the winter months, religiously came in and asked if we had any jobs.
“He was willing to learn and to work hard and he is now running one of the key processes in the manufacturing line.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the correct people with the correct skills.”
The company, which employs 42 people, has plans to boost its workforce by a further 15 over the next 18 months and has identified overseas exports to Asia and Europe as key areas for growth. It has also just committed to spending £98,000 on staff training and development.
Established in 2009 the company works out of its 21,000 sq ft base on the Western Industrial Estate.
It is a manufacturer of pressure area care solutions with a comprehensive portfolio of award-winning products, including mattresses, cushions and overlays.
Customers range from NHS Trusts to nursing homes and wheelchair service organisations.