A SURGICAL instruments distributor selected to hit the fast lane for growth with help and advice from the Business Accelerator Network (BAN) has doubled its turnover in the last quarter.

York Medical Technologies, on the Vivars Way Industrial Estate in Selby, was formed a year ago by Dr Dean Moss and Dr Stephen Blight.

It has since seen staff numbers grow from five to nine.

The firm hopes turnover will double yet again within the next six months and will continue to receive practical support from BAN.

It distributes high-quality precision surgical instruments and surgical disposable products to the NHS, private hospitals and overseas customers.

BAN exists to help young, fast-growing companies overcome the specific difficulties associated with rapid growth.

It was developed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire with support and funding from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.

York Medical Technologies has been selected to join the network, which is actively helping 28 companies and talking to another 25.

BAN also includes a "friends" network of 80 private sector companies and public sector organisations that offer extra specialist help, advice, expertise and contacts for the rapidly-expanding companies.

High-growth adviser Lynne Martin, said: "The network is extremely valuable because it provides access to a broad spectrum of intermediaries and experienced people from organisations and companies, such as business angels, marketers, intellectual property and trademark experts, whose input is very valuable to fast-growing enterprises."

Dr Moss said: "Membership of BAN has helped us in a number of ways, including receiving support to part fund a marketing project, which has enabled our business to penetrate our available market faster.

"The high-growth advisers, working closely with Science City York, have also provided a business advisory service that has enabled us to develop our strategic planning so we can correctly and efficiently map out our path forward and address key issues such as access to finance, cash flow and maintaining our focus."

Updated: 12:07 Thursday, October 27, 2005