A precision measuring company is in pole position for further expansion after clinching a contract to measure the backside of Formula 1 driver Jenson Button.
Verify Technologies, based in Telford, has seen its turnover exceed £100,000 for the first time driven by increased demand for precision measurement from the automotive, Formula 1 and aerospace sectors.
The company, which has also carried out work for Formula 1 driver Jacques Villeneuve, uses a portable coordinate measuring machine to reverse engineer precision parts.
The machine gives exact readings which can be compared with CAD models to adjust the finished item.
It has been used to model the cockpit seat for Jensen Button and the seating position of former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
The technology can be transferred to other types of manufacturing.
Paul Wassall, a director of the company, said: " The importance of a few microns can be crucial to securing the best performance or saving millions of pounds on production costs,
"In essence, we offer our customers the most comprehensive contract measurement and inspection service available, courtesy of the world's most advanced portable measurement machine."
Mr Wassall, who has recently overseen the company's move to new offices in the Telford e-Innovation Centre, said: "A lot of our work involves the verification of fixtures, which gives our customers the confidence in the repeatability and accuracy of the final product.
"There are also the more high-profile contracts, such as inspecting complete cars and planes and involvement in the world of Formula 1.
"With this in mind, we've even had to measure Jensen's seat profile to ensure the correct seating position and Jacques' upper body to make sure that his vision wasn't impaired with the new design."
Verify Technologies has seen business grow considerably since it linked-up with Mustard.uk.com, the highgrowth business support service for the West Midlands, and consultants PKF in Staffordshire.
Mr Wassall said: "More than 100 employees from the big vehicle manufacturers have already taken part and are now on their way to being able to add this rare skill to their everyday production operations."
John Loach, Mustard. uk. com client manager at Business Link Shropshire, said: "Using the support he received through Mustard and PKF, Paul is perfectly set-up to take the company to its next stage of development and continue to add to his growing reputation in the world of Formula 1."
Managed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Mustard.uk.com has recently announced that it has assisted over 250 companies in Shropshire and is on track to help local companies contribute millions of pounds to the regional economy.
