A BURY firm has recorded an upbeat performance to mark the completion of a successful first year as an independent business.

Pulse is based at the Bridge Hall Mills site, which has been synonymous with the packaging industry for nearly 90 years.

For decades, the site was occupied by Transparent Paper which had begun trading in 1928.

Now, the mill's illustrious history and tradition is being maintained and enriched by Pulse which has enjoyed a buoyant 12 months following a management buy-out (MBO) of the UK operations of Printpack Enterprises.

Substantial investment, allied to expansion into new market areas, have been the hallmarks of an enviable first year as an independent business.

Pulse is a leading UK manufacturer of flexible packaging for national and international food and beverage brand owners. Its "blue chip" clients include some of the UK's biggest names in the snacks, cheese and dairy and soft drinks sectors.

Barry Bleasdale, sales and marketing director, said: "Our customers include Coca-Cola, Nestle, KP and Walkers Crisps and we also do wrappers for United Biscuits. We print in the region of between 2,000 and 3,000 different items. Following the management buy-out, we made an immediate investment of £2.5 million in a state-of-the-art flexo printing press which allows us to carry out shorter print runs faster.

"The new press gives us the capability to grow the business. We are also looking to invest in other equipment and we've got a machine coming in which makes stand-up pouches for pet food. The new investment give us added capability and capacity and that means growth."

Pulse has a 330-strong workforce, 220 of whom are based in Bury and the remainder at the company's other manufacturing site at Saffron Walden, Essex.

"We will be taking on new people and increasing the staff here by 10 over the next couple of years," added Mr Bleasdale.

And he forecasts that the company could spend close to £10 million on new plant and equipment within the next three years to fulfil a series of planned strategic investments.

Mr Bleasdale, managing director Mike Collins and finance director Amanda Shepherd were behind last year's MBO.

Mr Collins said: "Our investment strategy from day one has been to improve our portfolio and better meet the needs of customers."

The business is set to exceed initial projected growth targets with a turnover in excess of £80 million by 2018 in their sights.