Company which helps to keep the RAF’s fighters in the skies is set to soar after winning an eight-year order

AN Axminster firm which helps keeps Britain’s warplanes in the skies is set to soar after winning a �1.8million contract with the Ministry of Defence.

Southern Filters, based at Hunthay Business Park, supplies specialist equipment for the vital maintenance of the RAF’s frontline jets - including the Tornado fleet – as well as the famous Red Arrows.

Now the company is flying high after striking an MOD deal which will keep it working flat out for at least the next eight years.

Managing Director Andy Turner says the contract will mean a secure future for the rapidly growing business and probably two more jobs, to add to the four existing staff, in the coming year.

Launched in Uplyme 12 years ago, with only a handful of products, the firm today supplies over 300,000 items to an extensive range of customers - from one man bands to well known companies like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Sunseeker International Boats and McLaren.

It can supply a vast range of items from small sanding disks to large dust extraction machines.

Its systems to enable virtually dust-free sanding are particularly sought after in the aerospace and boat industries.

But the company was nearly grounded two years ago when Mr Turner and his daughter Becky, the accounts manager, were involved in an horrendous road accident, near Exeter.

Their stationary car was hit from behind by a vehicle travelling at some 70mph, leaving Mr Turner in a coma for three-and-a-half days and with only a five per cent survival rate.

But showing the determination that has led him to become a chief inspector with the special constabulary he fought his way back to health so that today he and his company face a bright future.

Praising his small workforce he said : “We have a dedicated team of employees, who take huge pride in delivering outstanding customer service and strive on customer satisfaction.”

Also employed at the Axminster company are Nigel Walton, logistics manager and Lee Rosenthal, sales manager.