Majorfax, one of the UK's leading suppliers of castings, is in a confident mood with managing director Steve Cooper optimistic about 2011.

The Walsall-based company, which supplies machined and finished castings to both a local and worldwide customer base, says that January orders are up 35% year on year. February and March are also looking busy, thanks in part, to increased demand from one of Europe's largest tractor manufacturers. Other new business has come from a UK manufacturer of lifting equipment.

"Eighteen months ago, like many other castings suppliers, things were not looking that good," says Mr Cooper. "Thankfully, due to our careful planning and hard work we've managed to turn things around and 2011 has started very well indeed for us. In fact, the increased demand, means we will be expanding our European warehousing operation.

"As well as supplying one of Europe's leading tractor companies, we are also working with one customer to deliver 30% savings on converting stainless steel fabrications into stainless steel castings.

"We're confident that we will be able to deliver a 20% increase in turnover during 2011."

As well as expanding its warehousing operation, Majorfax is also investing in increased marketing activity.

A new marketing executive, Ahsan Kazmi, was recruited in November 2010. His arrival has been complemented with the appointment of a public relations consultancy.