INDUSTRIAL services group Chieftain yesterday announced growth had exceeded its most optimistic expectations as it unveiled a strong set of full-year results.

The Newcastle-based company, with operations in Teesside and Tyneside, posted a 120 per cent rise in turnover to £33m, coupled with a 107 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to £1.5m for the year to December 31.

Chief executive Bill Taylor said expansion was expected to continue this year, with a record order book of £68m.

Chieftain's operations take in engineering services, fabrication, manpower supply, environmental services and outfitting.

Its Teesside engineering services division, R Blackett Charlton, which provides mechanical services to a range of blue-chip process and power plant operators, had a particularly strong year.

In March last year, Chieftain announced the division had secured major maintenance contracts with BASF, Conoco Phillips and px limited, valued at £38m. Since then, it has won three further contracts worth £23m.

Chairman Peter Wardle said: "We are now in discussions with other operators, not only on Teesside but further afield, with a view of securing additional contracts for the business."

Chieftain recently moved its R Blackett Charlton business to Middlesbrough after outgrowing its previous base at The Wilton Centre.

The move followed the acquisition in September of Bringover Limited, which has moved to Skippers Lane Industrial Estate.

Earlier this month, Chieftain acquired Middlesbrough steel fabrication and engineering services business Kevin Lloyd Limited, which is expected to contribute significantly to this year's financial results.

Mr Wardle said: "Our results for 2006 exceeded our most optimistic expectations.

"The expansion of the business accelerated through the year and the momentum created has continued into 2007, where we have already experienced a further increase in our workload and workforce."

Chieftain said both its fabrication and manpower supply businesses experienced strong growth in the year, with predicted expansion this year.

The outfitting division also performed well, with the opening of an office in Barrow. However, its smaller environmental services division saw a reduction in demand.

Mr Wardle said: "There is no doubt that success breeds success and we look forward to further profitable expansion."