NESTLED along a Yate industrial estate is a manufacturing company whose products are exported all over the globe.

Precision Dippings Ltd moved to Stover Trading Estate from Slough about 40 years ago.

The company, which employs 22 staff, makes rubber-dipped products from its Yate base.

Kate Richards, manager of the company, explained one of the firm's main products was seals for drysuits or dry-tops.

These products are used in watersports such as sailing, diving and canoeing. Ms Richards said: "We supply the waterproof seals which stop water from getting in."

These seals are exported internationally to nations such as Australia and America and to the Far East and Europe.

The business also makes medical products for example breathing bags used in operations.

The medical market is again both UK and internationally based.

Indeed, added Ms Richards: "Forty per cent of our business is export."

She believes this is because theirs is such a niche market.

"There aren't that many UK rubber dipped product manufacturers," she explained. Several years ago the company added a further product to its portfolio which is proving a boon.

ProtectaCast is coming up to its third year.

"It's a product we designed ourselves based on the idea of the dry-suits," said Ms Richards.

"We were already making the seals - it was just another idea."

It is a cover which can be worn over casts on broken limbs and is available in a variety sizes for children and adults.

The product is made from natural rubber, easy to put on and re-usable.

This stretchy water-proof cover means it can be worn over plaster casts in the shower or bath and it can be used in the swimming pool.

The company has a website whereby the product can be ordered on line. It can also be ordered by phone or via an order form.

Leaflets are given to hospitals to pass on to patients who have suffered a broken limbs.

Ms Richards said: "It is popular especially in the summer - we get all sorts of thank you letters and photos."

Initially the ProtectaCast was created in a cream medical colour however it is now produced in a variety of colours.

"We had children request them in brighter colours," said Ms Richards.

She believes the success of the company is based on the fact it is a specialist market, it provides quality products and its staff.

"We have excellent staff and have a very low staff turnover," said Ms Richards, who has been with the firm for about four years.

She added some members of staff had been with the company for 25 years.

She explained this was a boon to the company as staff had accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the product and the business.

Nearly all the employees were Yate people, she said.

Staff are mainly production operatives, inspection staff or packing.