A TECHNOLOGY company is targeting further growth after strong demand built on a record order book.

Stadium Group says orders now exceed £28m.

The figure is more than the £25.8m reported at the end of last year and significantly higher than the £19m recorded for 2015.

Bosses say they expect to maintain the upward trajectory as more customers recognise its services.

The business, based in Hartlepool, has benefited from converting from a solely electronic manufacturing services firm into a design-led company, with its higher-margin technology products division now contributing 60 per cent of group sales.

Originally founded as a motorcycle helmet company, it is now responsible for designing and making vehicle control panels, wireless devices and electronic displays, with its catalogue including vehicle fleet tracking.

A spokesman said: “The first quarter has traded in-line with management expectations, and the order book now exceeds £28m.

“The growing demand is expected to continue.”

Earlier this year, Charlie Peppiatt, chief executive, told The Northern Echo that Stadium, which has made its Hartlepool base a European manufacturing centre of excellence, aims to “get some boots on the ground” in North America.

He said the plans will lever the company’s international repute by providing a gateway to the “largest market on the planet” for the type of apparatus it supplies.

Mr Peppiatt added: “We have a number of existing customers in Europe and Asia who are saying, ‘come on guys we need something in North America’.

“We have a strong growth plan for the region.”