Yorkshire Stainless Specialists (YSS), a metal fabrication company, has moved into a bigger site and bought a state-of-the-art laser cutting machine worth £400,000.

One year ago managing director Darren Brown decided he needed to act to keep competitors at bay and meet the demands of his growing customers.

He also needed to invest in new equipment, a bigger workshop and target new markets.

Mr Brown said: "We have invested more than £1 million. We expect to employ about 20 more workers within the next 12 months.

"We are busy because our customers are busy.

"By buying the machine we have created three to five jobs alone."

A three-year business plan was drawn up with the help of business development consultancy Creative International, to begin the expansion.

YSS bought the engineering workshops at Drakes Industrial in Shay Lane from its neighbour Hanson Plywood.

Its specialist stainless steel products, some of which are used abroad, are supplied to the likes of Halifax-based KT Hydraulics and A-Fax Ltd, and BP and Shell.

Mr Brown said thanks to the new site and machine all the work can be completed on-site instead of being sent on to be finished in Sheffield, saving £200,000 to £300,000 a year.

"I didn't think it would happen so quick but if you don't invest then you struggle to compete with the best," said Mr Brown. "We have always prided ourselves on quality and now we can put a timescale on things instead of waiting for other people. Now it's more efficient."

The site, which is five times bigger than the old premises, has been re-classified for engineering use after having been converted to a wholesale warehouse 10 years ago.

John Hodgson, who leads regeneration at Calderdale Council, said: "It's nice to see an engineering company come back here, which was once an engineering site.

"The expansion will bring jobs and investment."

He said it was one of a number of manufacturers who were still doing well despite the economic downturn because they were exporting or were in a niche sector.