Lingwood Food Services (LFS) has developed into quite a force within the vegetable and salad processing equipment supply sector.

Based in Stowmarket, Suffolk, Lingwood works closely with its suppliers and has experienced exceptional growth.

Further expansion is forecast in the next 12 months as the company sees the benefit of major developments that have enhanced its position as one of the UK's leading providers of food processing solutions.

The rapid expansion of its customer base has followed new UK distribution agreements with six major European suppliers: Finis, Nilma, Formit, Skals, Techno-Food and Tecmaq.

These additions to the LFS supplier team complement the established Kronen and Felcon products that constituted its core business for many years.

The broad range of equipment that Lingwood is now able to supply allows flexibility in providing the most comprehensive and relevant solutions for the food industry and will strengthen the company's position within the food processing sector, said sales director Ian Hope.

'Our aim is provide the most effective and efficient solution from 'bespoke processing lines to individual machines' said Hope. 'The expansion of our demonstration area will give more clients and potential clients the opportunity to see our machines in action.' 2003 has also seen the launch of LFS's machinery rental service. It will allow customers to rent machines enabling them to run long-term production trials without the need for capital investment.

The continued year-on-year growth in sales turnover has inevitably led to an increase in staffing levels. The company already boasts experience, with staff already counting on a combined knowledge of more than 40 years within the food industry. The recent appointment of Rob Allum as director and product specialist on the Finis range has added an extra dimension.

Managing Director David Sherfield commented: 'These are exciting times at Lingwood. 'The growth is being achieved as we maintain our philosophy of commitment to innovation in order to find efficient working methods and machines that will benefit our customer.' The LFS website -- www.lingwood.net -- details products available for preparing and processing vegetables, leaves and salad products and fruit, as well as a host of supplementary equipment and packaging machinery.