TWO men of steel who in just five years have established the biggest company of its kind in the North West have truly shown their metal.

For Whitefield Fabrications, run by by Gary Hayhoe and Ray Bruni, emerged as runner-up in the Best Performing Bury Business category at the Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2001 held at the Reebok Stadium.

The company hadn't entered this specific category. But judges were so impressed by the business, they decided to include it in the section.

Earlier this year they acquired its major local rival -- the company both had previously worked for!

Ray (51) and 45-year-old Gary, who embrace nearly 50 years of combined experience in the fabrications industry, launched Whitefield Fabrications in 1996.

Previously, both had worked for 12 years with Whitefield Technical Services, the company they took over in May.

Whitefield Fabrications began business with nine staff at a 4,000 sq ft factory in the town. But rapid expansion led to a move in 1997 to premises in Kirklees Street, Tottington, which offered more than double the floorspace. Turnover has grown by a staggering 87 per cent to £5.8 million and the workforce has risen to 62.

Whitefield Fabrications is involved in the design and fabrication of stainless steel, alloys and carbon steels to be used in pipework systems, vessels, tanks and silos, vacuum suction boxes for the paper and pulp industries and platforms.

And the company's expertise and expansion is illustrated by the fact it now commands the position as the largest stainless steel fabricators in the North West.

The acquisition of Whitefield Technical Services, previously based in Woolfold, Bury, has helped significantly in bolstering Whitefield Fabrications' turnover from £3 million to £5.8 million.

Gary Hayhoe said: "The reason why we bought Whitefield Technical Services was that it was viable and a way of increasing business for ourselves. We were both in different fields."

Commenting on their award and the £1,000 prize money, Gary added: "It's a wonderful achievement and it will enhance our reputation. We are still looking at possible acquisitions and mergers."

The two other local companies which had entered the Best Performing Bury Business category were Shuttleworth-based Garic Plant Hire and Sheridan Spa of Bury.