Investing in people and machinery is helping a family-owned manufacturing company more than double its exports and secure 20 per cent growth in the process.

Hague Fasteners, which now operates from Watery Lane in Willenhall, has seen its specialist fasteners and milled components shipped for use in high-profile oil and gas, transport and infrastructure projects in Asia, Australasia, Europe and the Middle East.

The firm's ability to produce custom-made components quickly has helped it differentiate itself from the competition.

Managing Director Jon Hague said: "We've had our best ever year since relocating to Willenhall in 2008, with international sales now accounting for almost 50 per cent of our business – more than double the levels we enjoyed prior to moving.

"This isn't by accident either. There has been a massive shift in purchasing attitudes and customers are now actively seeking British made products and we’ve had to move quickly to take advantage of this. Our website is currently being translated into Norwegian and this will be followed by French and Dutch versions.

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"We are also building our network of international agents to give us even greater global exposure.

"Investment in an additional CNC machining centre gives us the ability to offer full 3D profiling, which is increasingly important for clients looking for complex and safety critical components. It's great to see this growth after two really tough decades and we owe a lot to the loyalty of our key staff, including head of engineering Stuart Bailey and general manager Mike Field, who are both close to the 18-year service milestone."

Hague Fasteners was formed in 1971 by the late John Hague, the father of the current MD, and has been manufacturing in the Black Country for more than four decades.

The company, which is now owned by Jon Hague and his wife Claire, produce specialist fasteners, headed bolts, studs, nuts and milled components in a wide range of high integrity materials and critical nickel alloys.

A client base spanning fabrication, oil and gas, ship building and power generation dictates the need for going that extra mile and the firm does this by offering reverse engineering, 24-hour delivery and an industry leading breakdown service.

As part of its recent growth, Hague Fasteners has worked with Bournville College to identify and train three apprentices. This means nearly a quarter of its workforce is now made up of employees under the age of 23, something general manager Mike Field is proud of.

"The increase in sales meant we needed new staff and we felt the time was right to try and develop our own people," he said.

Hague which has supplied fasteners and specialist bolts for use in the London Underground and under sea engineering projects arond the world, is expecting a further 20 per cent increase in sales by the end of 2013.