A CARPET manufacturer is celebrating higher than expected sales that are outstripping last year's turnover.

The board of Victoria plc, which owns Victoria Carpets, in Kidderminster, has announced that trading in the third quarter of the financial year has been ahead of expectations.

Victoria Carpets performed very strongly throughout the normally buoyant autumn selling period, resulting in sales being up 30 per cent on last year.

The company bought Munster Carpets, in Ireland, in October, and moved the manufacturing operation to Kidderminster, creating 12 new jobs.

It is expected more people will be needed.

Mark Lee, group financial director, said the success of the firm, which was established in 1895, could be put down to three things.

Portfolio

"We have a very strong portfolio of products.

"We re-launched the Tudor Twist in 40 colours in mid-2002, and it is the best-selling 80/20 twist in Britain at the moment.

"That has been a big contribution to our success, as well as our other products.

"We also invest heavily in customer service at Victoria Carpets.

"We hold a lot of stock so we can supply shops straight away.

"As well, we have made continuous investments in plant. We have installed all the latest technology in carpet making."

The installation of a new backing line at Kidderminster is almost complete, producing a new kind of lightweight backing that is easier for fitters and more environmentally friendly.

"Other manufacturers have said they've had a bad year," said Mr Lee.

"So it's more a question of just getting it right at Victoria."

The company employs about 300 people at its Worcester Road site in Kidderminster.