A MASSIVE £500,000 expansion of a Clifton Moor mail order firm is now complete.

York Survey Supply Centre, which won the 1996 Evening Press Small Business of the Year title, has more than doubled the size of its headquarters on George Cayley Drive.

The firm, which sells surveying equipment and accessories, moved from its old premises in Auster Road in 1998 to accommodate further expansion.

At that time the founder and owner was Bill Heath. He retired to make way for a management buy-out by his daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Stuart Rawlings, as well as his other daughter, Susie Simpson, in 2003, but demand meant that the investment was inevitable.

Mr Rawlings, managing director, who recently recruited four more people to bring staff to a total of 20, said: "There has been a huge and continuing surge in demand for quality surveying accessories.

"The construction industry has become much more impulsive with decisions taken on the hour which need to be quickly serviced.

"That is why we hold 5,000 product lines for next-day delivery. This stock is growing hugely and we need more space. Besides, we are still recruiting and we really need the room.

"The fact that we own the premises which are next door to Travis Perkins builders merchants, is a huge help."

Extra pressure for growth built up with the firm's internet sales which now account for 15 per cent of total sales, as well as increased exports.

The extension, which increases the firm's premises from 4,000 sq ft to 9,000 sq ft, includes a new showroom where surveyors can view the products, plus air conditioning and space for repairs and calibration of all major manufacturers' surveyors instruments.

"We are readily accepted as the market leader in the UK when it comes to surveying accessories and we have to keep ahead of the game," said Mr Rawlings.

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, September 20, 2005