SEATING manufacturer Audience Systems Ltd has secured a half million pound contract just six months after winning an order worth £1.6 million.

The company, which is celebrating 30 years of business this year, has had a change in fortune after it was forced to make redundancies at the start of last year due to a downturn in business.

The latest contract to supply 7,000 seats for a multi-purpose hall in Hungary, follows an order for 14,000 seats for an ice hockey arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Sales director, Mark Cowley, said the order would ensure another busy summer production period for the company's 80-strong workforce and added that Audience Systems Ltd is now in a position to employ more people.

"We are recruiting at the moment but not necessarily as a direct result of the new order. We are looking for people in marketing, sales and on the manufacturing side."

He added that the company's return to profitability and steady growth is due to a major re-organisation in February 2001.

"The management structure has been re-organised and our success has been down to a change in leadership and attitudes and commitment of staff," he said. "The whole approach to business is different now. We've got some good products and we feel able to fulfil the needs of the industry for the next 30 years.

"We've had a hard time in the past and to say we have had a fantastic year is an understatement. We have far exceeded any expectations of success."

General manager, John Jenkins, agreed that the future looks bright for the Westbury-based firm.

"Success during last year was well beyond initial expectations. The achievement has only been realised due to the loyal and committed efforts of the whole workforce," he said.

Audience Systems Ltd is one of west Wiltshire's largest employers and specialises in designing, manufacturing and installing seating for major international arenas.

The firm is part of the Kotobuki Corporation, Japan and has created seating for the Royal Albert Hall and Walt Disney Studios.