A COMPANY specialising in door-mats has expanded to the point where it is having to move again, for the third time in 12 years.

Clean Step Ltd, which employs about 30 people and is based in Cheney Manor, is relocating to a larger site on the Hawksworth Industrial Estate.

The company specialises in a high standard mat rental service and an extensive range of matting products to all sectors of commerce and industry.

Established in 1988, the family firm has gone from strength to strength building on a strategy of giving the customers what they want.

Its customer base, which includes many of the UK's blue chip com-panies, confirms the success of this approach and the business is growing at a rate of 15 per cent on turnover year on year. Turnover is currently £1.5 million a year.

"We saw a niche in the market for a high quality matting service" said managing director Bob Fisher.

"We do have many larger com-petitors but we have differentiated ourselves by specialising in the matting business, putting the customer first and therefore being responsive to their requirements".

Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire have also assisted in the growth of the company.

"We initially approached Business Link many years ago when we needed help with marketing," said Mr Fisher.

"Since the company achieved ISO 9002 in 1994, Business Link and specifically business adviser David Brown has been helping to develop the management and people aspects of our business.

"Advice has been excellent and although I'm sure that the company would still have been successful without the help of Business Link, with their help and advice we have been more proactive.

"Results have been achieved quicker and we have been more targeted in our approach to business.

"Clean Step has changed from a small business to one that is highly respected within its industry and one that is able to expand and grow."

The company's decision to move has meant a huge investment programme.

New machinery has been installed that not only proves to be more cost effective but will have environmental and sustainability implications.

"With the rental mat side of our business we wash over 5,000 mats a week this equates to more than 30 tonnes," said Mr Fisher.

"The new equipment recycles the water saving over 70 per cent.

"Not only is this good for the environment but economically this will cut our water bill by more than two thirds."