HALYARD (Marine and Industrial) of Whaddon, the manufacturer of marine silencer and noise reduction systems, has announced a 36 per cent increase in sales.

The announcement came following the company's year end on June 30, a year which saw Halyard's turnover soar to £3.8 million.

Managing director James Grazebrook said: "The 36 per cent sales growth is a result of Halyard's continued strength in the UK and our export marine market sales and is allied to recent corporate acquisitions.

"In addition, Halyard has seen a huge increase in commercial marine work in the UK and abroad."

The company, which has its base at Whaddon Business Park, has manufacturing operations in Wimborne and Portsmouth and bought Sabre Fabrications last year.

That company was renamed Halyard Fabrications.

It manufactures the stainless sections of Halyard's marine exhaust systems, as well as a range of other fabricated steel products.

Earlier this year Halyard purchased Cerambond, a specialist manufacturer of marine exhaust hose and silicon exhaust products.

As a result of the acquisitions, Halyard is now the only company in the world to manufacture entire marine exhaust systems in-house.

More than 30 per cent of Halyard's production is exported to the yacht and commercial craft sectors in the European Community and Far East.

Mr Grazebrook said: "Halyard now manufactures every single component in the exhaust systems we supply.

"This enables us to offer a bespoke service for marine engines up to 2,000hp worldwide, while continuing to hold the largest stock of marine exhaust system components anywhere in Europe.

"Cerambond also brings sales into new sectors including aviation, motor vehicles and ocean safety equipment," he said.