At Langtec, tubular sells

Langtec is on a roll. The specialist tube maker is celebrating a century of successful trading that has seen its industry-leading products sold around the world.

From its manufacturing operation in Altham it supplies a massive range of industries, from aerospace to communications and welding to pyrotechnics.

The company exports 80 per cent of its electrical and thermal insulating tubes, with the USA its main overseas market.

Today the business is firmly embedded in East Lancashire, supporting a host of community activities. However, it has only been based here for 30 of its 100 years, moving north from Crawley.

And it actually began life in Southwark in south London, buying ceramic tiles from Marseille and selling them all over what was the British Empire.

Managing director Andrew Turner joined the business when it made its move to Lancashire. Originally an accountant he was part of a management buy-out two decades ago.

Andrew, 59, a native of Darwen, is the last of the four members of that buy-out team in the business and has spearheaded its overseas development.