DOLPHIN Lifts Midlands Ltd has officially opened a new extension at its offices in Oldbury.

The Mayor of Sandwell, councillor Linda Horton and consort Roger Horton, attended the opening, along with representatives of other local businesses.

Dolphin Lifts Midlands is an independent family-run business with more than 25 years of experience within the stairlift industry. The rapid growth of the business over the past seven years made the office extension necessary.

The workforce has increased from two to 42 as a result of the rise in business over that period. It has also invested in young local talent by taking on apprentices, who have since been taken on as full-time staff.

The Mayor of Sandwell and managing director, Norman Farrington, cut a celebration cake to mark the official opening. At the event several local charities were entered into a prize draw to win a stairlift. The Kaleidoscope Group was drawn out as winners by the Mayor.

Mr Farrington said: “I am delighted with our company’s progress over the last seven years and I want to continue this trend.

"We are a family business that wants to invest in the local area and the skills of local people. I am honoured that the Mayor of Sandwell and other local businesses came to our opening.”

Mr Farrington, who works closely with the Black Country Chamber of Commerce as a Sandwell board member, added: “I would like to thank everyone that has supported us through this growth and long may it continue.”