System Training has secured more than £1m-worth of business in the last year, prompting a move to bigger premises.

The firm, which provides training for the transport and logistics industry, can number construction materials firm Cemex among its clients, as well as Asda and Tesco, and the parcel courier Yodel.

It has moved its main training facility from Carlisle Airport to a larger site in Brunthill Road, Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle.

The company also invested in a new fleet of vehicles because of increased demand for LGV driver training.

Dave Crawford, director of operations, is looking at further growth across the north west where demand for drivers outstrips supply.

Industry group the Freight Transport Association has estimated there are 45,000 fewer LGV drivers than needed across the UK.

And with an ageing workforce, it expects this shortfall to rise to 150,000 by 2020.

Mr Crawford said: “With a growing team of experts and the inclusion of additional training capacity, we are playing our part in driving up standards to be the training partner of choice for the logistics sector.

“However, there remains huge demand for drivers, so the next 12 months promises to be even busier as we look to develop our presence further in core sectors on the back of new training courses and facilities.”

System Training employs 60 people and has a turnover of £9m each year.

Its customers include logistics and utility companies, the military and government departments, local authorities, national corporations and small businesses.

The company was set up by Robin Brown in 1987.

Along with fellow director Tony Higgins he sold it to Bibby Distribution, in 2013, after it had become the largest logistics training provider in the UK.

Bibby sold it on to Assist Resourcing, based at Bury in Greater Manchester, last year.

Earlier this year, Mr Brown and Mr Higgins set up a new business focusing on logistics and transport training.

SP Training is a division of their recruitment agency System People.