A TEXTILES firm is celebrating its centenary by posting record turnover.

Accrington-based Lantex Manufacturing have posted almost £2million sales this year, thanks to the growth of their online business as well as being able to offer digital and screen printing.

Lantex, formerly Scapa Manufacturing of Haslingden, specialise in kitchen textiles, and make over a million tea towels per year.

As well as producing tea towels, tote bags, cushion covers, table cloths, aprons and promotional merchandise, the firm sells blank fabric to printers and designers.

Each week more than 12,000 items are produced, for online retailers, printers, promotion companies and restaurants.

Chairman, David Hardman, whose family have been shareholders since its early days said: “Reaching £2 million of sales is a fantastic way to celebrate our centenary.

“One hundred years of history is something to be proud of, and we believe we have achieved this landmark by flexibility, assessing what the future holds and keeping costs low.

“We are specialists in this textile printing and promotional merchandise sectors, producing over 12,000 units a week, and can turn bespoke orders around very quickly.

“We have become a one-stop shop for suppliers as we are able to offer digital and screen printing and this helps us turnaround small and large orders quickly.

“We supply all over the UK and we are delighted to be still here after a century.

“We currently employ over 30 people including 14 machinists, and we’re looking to create eight more jobs over the next two years.

“We’re proud that 40 per cent of our work force has been with us for over a decade.

Managing Director John Parker who joined Lantex in 1982 said: “Our production facility is modern and flexible so we can make exactly what customers require. We work together at the design stage and we agree a delivery date.

“In the past decade we’ve invested £230,000 in training, new plant and machinery and £40,000 in R&D. The number of employees has increased fourfold over the last 12 years due to demand for more complex products and presentation.”

In celebration of their Centenary, the firm have planned a five-course themed “tea out” at Accrington & Rossendale College on Thursday, April 26.

The menu will include food typically eaten in England over the last 100 years including Lancashire made Black Pudding.