Alpine Automation’s 20% year-on-year growth is a direct result of the success of its own customers, according to managing director Patrick Martin.

He said: “To achieve this sort of growth in a static market is very satisfying. Our own market share of fabricators has not increased significantly. However, a very large proportion of our existing customers have expanded a great deal, investing in new machinery and increasing their production.”

Alpine has seen a major increase in orders for its range of saws, stackers and presses and this has led to increased demand for its punched metal plates.

&#8220There is a growing trend towards more complex roof structures and as the trusses become more complicated you need better dialogue between the developer and the truss manufacturer”

Alpine managing director Patrick Martin

Mr Martin said his fastest growing customers were owner-operated businesses. Swansea-based Fforest Timber has grown turnover from £1m to £4m in the past four years, while Tyneside’s Roof Truss Company Northern doubled the size of its factory this year and doubled turnover to £3m.

He said: “This is pretty impressive when there’s no general increase in demand for trusses from builders. However, there is a growing trend towards more complex roof structures and as the trusses become more complicated you need better dialogue between the developer and the truss manufacturer.”