A DISABLED lift platform company is looking to increase turnover and create jobs after seeing a surge in sales.

DDA Lifts has seen double digit growth each year since 2003 and has secured business throughout the UK, including commissions from several theatres in London’s West End, as well as from universities and major department stores.

Now, the company in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is looking to achieve a £3m turnover by 2010 and plans to increase its workforce of 16 by four.

To help with its plans, DDA has secured a £150,000 investment from Evolve, a division of NEL Fund Managers.

The company has gained a strong position in the disabled lift market – which has been growing since the introduction of regulations under the Disability Discrimation Act in 2004 – by developing customised products to meet individuals’ specifications, as well as supplying and installing standard lifts.

Managing director John Ponsford said DDA was well-placed to continue its strong growth levels.

“The introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act in 2004, which established a legal requirement to make newly-built or refurbished buildings fully accessible to disabled people, provided a real imperative for our sector, and has helped us record annual doubledigit growth every year since,” he said.

“Our aim now is to keep the business moving forward to meet our £3m turnover target within the next couple of years, continually refreshing and improving our top-end product range and ensuring that we continue to stay at the forefront of our market.”

Simon Johnson, of Evolve Finance, said: “The quality of DDA Lifts’ products and its clear focus on its core strengths has enabled the company to take advantage of commercial opportunities within a healthy market sector, and it has the management expertise, as well as the funding, in place to keep improving the business.”