A COMPUTER company which logged on to the potentially lucrative software applications sector is enjoying a sustained remarkable growth.

In just four years, Flexsys (UK) Ltd has increased its workforce from six to 38 and seen its annual turnover soar to £2 million.

And with a significant upsurge in Internet and e-commerce work imminent, Flexsys bosses are confident the firm's buoyancy will continue well into the next Millennium.

The company, in the Victoria Chambers, Silver Street, Bury, is the UK headquarters of the business which also has offices in Germany and France.

Gerry Allan, Bury-based managing director, was approached eight years ago by Flexsys founders Simon Holt and Allan Latham to launch its UK operation.

Today, the firm is heavily involved in the support, maintenance and development of clients' current and legacy computer applications.

They also operate clients' computers, on their behalf, as well as developing and maintaining their new software systems.

Commenting on the enviable success achieved, particularly during the past four years, sales and marketing director Ken Pearce said: "It's really been a classic case of organic growth. If we carry out work for a client, and do it well and within budget, then we establish a business relationship and they end up throwing a lot more work at us." Much of the recent Flexsys contracts have concentrated on helping businesses ensure their systems are Year 2000 compliant and will not fall victim to the "Millennium Bug".

Ken added: "The clients that we have been assisting with this are now working in a Year 2000 timeframe."

He says that because companies have seen this vital Millennium change as a priority, many have been forced to postpone alterations or upgrading of software systems.

"This has been the case for two years. There's been an applications back-log and during that period it's been particularly user-frustrating," disclosed Ken.

But once the new Millennium dawns, and firms heave a huge sigh of relief, Flexsys predicts a big increase in applications-related contracts.

The Bury company is also at the forefront of satisfying customer demands to take advantage of the Internet and e-commerce in general.

And, thanks to Flexsys' expertise, companies are now equipped with the knowledge and relevant software to enable them to actually order and pay for goods using the worldwide web.

Although the vast majority of the firm's clients are in the UK, their reputation is going global.

"We've been asked by a company in France to tender for work and received a similar approach from a firm in Australia, via e-mail," revealed Ken.

"When it comes to computers, Britain is the most respected country in this industry."

Mr Allan admits he is surprised by the enormous growth Flexsys has achieved. The company is predicting its staff and turnover will double again in the next three years.

"They way things have taken off is really quite amazing," he says. "It's been a matter of fulfilling our beliefs and, at the same time, of being at the right place at the right time."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.