A Mattishall-based heating specialist is looking to mount rapid growth through acquisition after making significant inroads into the South East Asian market.

Vulcanic UK has opened new offices in Abu Dhabi and Jakarta as it presses ahead with plans to bolster its turnover from 10.5 million euros to 12.5 million euros by the end of next year.

It has also opened a base in Moscow.

The business, which makes industrial heating and cooling systems for the energy sector, said it was concerned about the plunging price of oil, but expects to weather the storm thanks to stability and growth opportunities in the renewables and marine markets.

Chris Kettlety, international sales manager, said the firm is still on course to add eight people to its 17-strong workforce despite increased global competition.

'This year business has been quite exceptional for us. We have opened offices in Abu Dhabi, Jakarta and Moscow, which has really helped us move closer to our clients in those regions,' he said.

'We now expect to grow further there. Two years ago we did very little in these markets, and now we are seeing £5m coming out for South East Asia. They are our main growth markets now.'

Mr Kettlety also expects to see 'massive growth' in the renewables sector.

He said: 'We are in an industry with strong competition from emerging economies, but what gives us the clear advantage is the skilled team that we have here.

'We have got aggressive growth plans. We are targeting 12.5 euro turnover this year. Part of our long-term plan is to make acquisitions of our competitors, and we want to continue that growth through acquisition.

'We want to maintain the profit levels that we have been used to over the last four or five years as well as strengthening our business range.'

Vulcanic UK, based at the South Green Enterprise Centre, is part of a wider European Vulcanic group, which employs about 500 people with operations in France, Belgium, Germany and Spain.

Do you have a business story for the Eastern Daily Press? Contact business editor Ben Woods 01603 772426 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk