AN eye for detail and a ground-breaking computer package led Merc Engineering to the award for innovation.

The Barrowford-based precision engineering company has spent years reflecting on the way it works, leading to the introduction of the software programme Mafis ERP.

The innovative programme – and its knock-on effect on business – was the key to impressing the judges.

Mafis controls all the areas of the business from payroll to production planning and has allowed staff to introduce wide-ranging business improvement techniques into the company.

Les Nuttall, managing director of Merc Engineering, said: “We have spent a number of years developing and changing the way we work, streamlining our business.

“It has allowed us to move towards more efficient manufacturing process.”

As a result the company has seen an annual growth of almost 30 per cent year-on-year.

The company already serves the defence market and also deals with railway, motorsport, power generation and commercial sectors.

In March this year Merc Engineering expanded its workforce to 70 people and has turnover forecast of around £4.2million for 2008/2009, following the acquisition of local aerospace specialist Bright Spark Engineering.

This is the area – which makes up six per cent of Merc’s turnover – in which the company plans to continue expanding.

It will do this by focusing on larger companies when it comes to the tendering process in a bid to swell the size of the organisation.

Mr Nuttall said: “We are part of the Aerospace Alliance which means we are looking at manufacturing on the international stage, at a time when many areas of manufacturing are faltering.”

He added: “It is fantastic to be given this award. It is great to show the people back at work that what we are doing, improving and changing, is being recognised.”