In a crash-and-burn financial climate, there is one Bradford company that continues to prosper – not least on an essential social level.

Of the 80 employees at the Industrial Services Group, 53 have disabilities, including blindness, deafness and learning difficulties. They help manufacture uPVC windows and doors, lighting and provide mailing and packaging services.

The company was set up to equip disabled people with the skills to make a meaningful contribution to society and improve their employability, but its long-term viability is in question.

The company receives £4,800 per disabled employee from the Department of Work and Pensions. It must earn all other costs, but it has been hit by a shortfall of custom since providing Bradford-based social landlord Incommunities with windows and doors for a district-wide refurbishment of its housing stock.

New customers are being sought and many contracts have been secured. Even so, Bradford Council’s corporate improvement committee has called on the executive to consider the company a corporate responsibility to ensure it survives well into the future.

ISG manager Peter Keeley, an experienced businessman, is working alongside his staff to address the situation, seeking greater custom from the Bradford district and beyond for all its products and services.

Recent signs are encouraging. New customers account for 30 per cent of manufacturing orders so far this financial year.

It is people like born-deaf windows manufacturer Robert Gee who benefit from the money ISG generates.

Through a sign interpreter, he said: “I know this work and I enjoy it. Before, I had a job making furniture. but the level of support I get here is very good. The staff have a bit of signing skill which makes basic communication better.”

Blind doors manufacturer Arthur Carruthers has worked at ISG for almost 37 years after moving to Bradford in the 1970s.

He said: “There’s only this place going. A lot of other places that would take on people like me have closed. There’s good camaraderie here.”

Sharon Wright, who is deaf, works in the feature lighting department which now boasts 50 city, town and parish councils among its customers – including Bradford, Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham.

“I’m really happy to come and work here. I enjoy it very much. In the future I don’t know about changing jobs because they’re not easy to find,” she said.

Mr Keeley speaks passionately about what his employees have to offer. He mentions their great work ethic.

From taking a tour around the company’s factories in Frizinghall and at Venlo Industrial Estate, it is clear to see non-disabled workers show a great deal of care to their disabled counterparts.

Supervisors speak with pride in seeing the likes of Robert, Arthur and Sharon prosper.

Councillor Michael Kelly, the Council’s executive member for services to children and young people, is confident the company will thrive.

He said: “There are various measures that have been implemented in recent years, such as the strengthening of its management, and by focusing on the opportunities in the marketplace with its outstanding, quality products, I’m confident there are opportunities to grow this business.”

Bosses at Industrial Services Group will hear on Thursday whether plans for a new access door for the machine shop at its manufacturing site in Frizinghall have been successful. Included in the application is an extension to the existing building, but there are no current plans to build this section. If successful, the approval will last for five years, so could be used if trade picks up in the future.

Terry Davis, training and employment services manager at the Council’s Skills for Work Service, said: “We decided to include the extension in this application, as it would mean including it in one application and paying one flat fee, rather than two separate applications and sets of fees.

“This is at present not something we are proposing, but if we secure planning permission it would mean we could go ahead with this any time in the next five years, should we need it – if trading conditions improve.”

People with disabilities can find out more about applying for work at ISG by contacting Fran Howes on (01274) 431100.