EXPANSION at Supercover (Bolton) Ltd could mean another 200 jobs by 2001 - 100 of them in Farnworth.

Managing Director Andrew Kluge and Operations Manager Geoff Garner announced future plans at a special presentation to employees, families and invited guests.

The event in the Centenary Suite at the Blackburn Rovers Football Ground was followed by a buffet, fun casino and disco.

"It was a smashing evening and it was good to get them together," Mr Kluge said.

"A lot of companies do not tell the workforce where they are going."

As reported recently, Supercover is planning to spread its production facility through a refurbished building next to the current site in Bentinck Street, Farnworth.

The development, which has been made possible by new orders at home and abroad, is expected to be completed by next month.

Supercover has grown and grown since Andrew spotted a gap in the market for a good quality pushchair raincover in 1981 and started operations above a small pram shop on Derby Street, Bolton. Two years ago Supercover joined forces with the then struggling Quilty Ltd in Darwen, manufacturers of baby bedding and other accessories.

The company is now Europe's largest specialist manufacturer of nursery accessories, employing more than 190 people and supplying most of the UK's major retailers and pushchair suppliers.

Mr Kluge and Mr Garner announced at the staff event that the plan was to triple the size of the business by the year 2001.

This would take the turnover to more than £21 million and create an extra 200 jobs in Farnworth and Darwen.

Workers were told: "We intend to make sure that the best people work in the best conditions and earn the best wages in our industury.

"We want a long waiting list of people wanting to join The Supercover Group."

The presentation ended with a call to join Team 2001 to devise action plans with priorities and responsibilities.

Workers were told that the bulk of the additional business was estimated to come from organic growth in the UK and some overseas.

A1 Extrusions, the group's fledgling plastic extrusion division, was poised for massive growth over the next few years.

"However, we are always on the lookout for acquisition opportunities, so who knows?" Mr Kluge added.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.