BLACKBURN-based office seating manufacturer Dauphin plc is continuing to expand and its success has been rewarded with two excellence awards and new contracts.

The company, in Peter Street, is celebrating after picking up the prestigious Investors in People standard and an industry award from the Business Equipment Digest for its Amira range.

It also recently won two projects for the supply of office seating -- the first from The Portman Building Society for the seating in its new head office in Bournemouth.

The second and largest single contract won by Dauphin plc was from the Government's Food Standards Agency which included an order for 1,500 chairs.

Managing director Alan Verrinder said: "In 2000 we saw the Dauphin plc grow by 20 per cent on our previous year. This year it is our intention to grow above 20 per cent.

"Without doubt, winning prestigious projects the size of the Portman Building Society and the Food Standard Agency will only add to this growth."

As a result of its expansion programme it has recently appointed three new personnel and promoted internally.

Caroline Hammond joined as account manager for Scotland and Ireland, John Halsall as production manager, Julie Stuttard as sales and marketing support manager and internal promotions included Michael Darlington from financial controller to financial director and Alison Stringer to customer service manager. LOOKING GOOD: ELTEC chief executive Mark Price presents the Investors in People award to operations manager Stephen Buck (centre, left) with managing director Alan Verrinder and employees looking on