John Jenkins & Son, an ambitious third-generation family business based in Redding and specialising in steel fabrication for the housebuilding and construction industries, has doubled its turnover to some £4m in just four years.

It provides top-quality precision steel for UK housebuilders and has also done work locally for Falkirk Council.

To have been successful for 65 years is quite an achievement as research shows only one in ten family businesses survives to the third generation.

It believes the time is right to go for growth - that’s despite the downturn in the economy for, according to managing director Jonny Jenkins, “business has never been busier thanks to the huge push on housebuilding”.

In the £1m investment, the company, currently with 28 employees, will more than double the size of its 15,000 sq ft workshop, introduce new technology, upgrade its IT systems, and start a new programme of staff training and development.

And to underscore the exciting changes it’s making, it’s also carrying out an eye-catching re-brand of the business, changing the name to Jenkins Fabrications.

It has been an extremely successful year for the company. It won the Scottish Engineering President’s Award for excellence and recently held a ceremony at its factory to announce the impressive growth plans.

Blacksmith John Jenkins started the business in Redding in 1958 in a small garage workshop. Son Hugh developed the business from 1976 and grandson Jonny became involved in 2010. He now runs the business along with his wife Shona.

Jonny commented: “We’re a successful family business with family values which means we care passionately about our people, some of whom have been with us for over thirty years. Some started as apprentices many years ago and are now running their own departments which I think is tremendous.”

Shona added: “I am so excited about the changes we are making which will secure our future and that of our employees.

“We’re adapting, innovating and renewing because our vision is to build our client base and develop the type of work we can offer our clients in Scotland and beyond.

“Our aim is to become the best steel fabricators for the UK housebuilding and construction industries.”

Paul Sheerin, chief executive of Scottish Engineering, attended the re-branding ceremony and commented: “It’s important not to miss what an opportunity re-branding is.

“In today’s social media-savvy world, digital marketing is really important in driving company growth and by doing what they have done, they’ve really managed to underline this and put it to the front.”

And Jonny added: “If you’re interested in becoming an apprentice and learning a really exciting trade here, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.”