ONE of Blackburn’s major employers is celebrating breaking the £25million mark in turnover and is planning to recruit more staff.

Cavalier Carpets, which employs 210 people across the town, revealed the milestone in their recently published accounts. The workforce is split between its insurance claims handling business (Renew), the manufacturing arm (Cavalier) and distribution business (Transfloor).

Cavalier, which has traded since 1972, is based on three sites in Blackburn –manufacturing in Mill Hill, head office at Bank Top and distribution at Shadsworth Industrial Estate. Manufacturing is split between residential carpets and hospitality carpets. Among the clients it provides carpets for are Premier Inn, William Hill and Thwaites.

Managing director Nathan Lowe said the company believed being based in Blackburn was one of its strengths. He said: “The local employment market is both competitive and high quality and as a business we have benefited by having loyal staff who have been with the business as long as 30 years.

“The communications in the borough have improved dramatically in recent years and there is a genuine business support structure evidenced by organisations such as the Hive business leader network.”

On reaching the £25m turnover figure, Mr Lowe, said: “We are trading out of a recession and have been successful in winning new business particularly in our contract carpet and renew divisions.

“The business is a second generation family business.

“The aims are to continue to grow organically across all areas and to expand our restoration service into new markets.

“The claims handling business directly employs 38 specialist flooring restoration specialists nationwide and they also serve our contract accounts and the MOD amongst others.”

In addition to the domestic market, the company also exports into Southern Ireland, Europe, the Middle East and North America.