A DORSET company is celebrating its 50th anniversary and toasting its rapid expansion.

MB Wilkes Ltd, a sand and gravel quarry based in Corfe Mullen, supplies decorative stones, railway sleepers, natural paving, blended soils and recycled sub-base materials.

The company operates a fleet of ten lorries, offering both tipper and grab options for the collection of garden and spoil materials from customers. The company celebrates its 50th year of trading in 2014, being originally established in 1964 and still remains a family-owned business.

In 2010 Dave Fletcher was appointed as commercial manager with 30 years of experience and a brief to expand the range of products and services offered by developing further markets and increasing the level of recovered and recycled products. At the time of appointment there were a total of 11 employees and one lorry operating at the site.

Since last year there has been continued company expansion and investment has taken place in two new loading shovels and a Trommel screener, allowing the firm to meet the needs of increased sales volumes. The development of the landscaping market business has seen product stock ranges widened, making it one of the largest stockholders of natural paving in Dorset and surrounding area.

Dave Fletcher said: “Since my appointment in 2010, with the assistance of the whole team at MB Wilkes Ltd, I am proud that we currently operate with 28 employees and 10 lorries.

“Business growth is predicted to improve further as a result of the recession easing.”