A soft toy designer has seen revenues grow to nearly £15m as it continues to supply blue chip companies in the UK.

Keel Toys, based in Ashford Business Park, Sevington, saw its pre-tax profits rise to £2m, up from £1.3m the year before.

The third-generation family business, founded in 1947, saw its turnover grow to £14.7m, up from £12.9m the year before, according to accounts filed to Companies House for the year ending March 31, 2014.

Managing director Richard Keel, one of four brothers who run the business, said the toy firm’s growth was down to investing in IT, customer services and social media during the recession, as well as new product lines.

The company made a profit of £1.6m after tax, up from just over £1m in 2013.

The firm is run by Keel brothers Richard, David, John and James, who serve as managing director, financial director, sales director and marketing director respectively.

“We have achieved growth by continually investing in new product and infrastructure such as IT, customer services and social media, particularly during the prolonged recession..." - managing director Richard Keel

Managing director Richard Keel said: “Given the right economic conditions, the company will remain profitable in the coming years.

“We are pleased with the result for the year ending March 2014 and experiencing similar growth this year to March 2015.

“We have achieved growth by continually investing in new product and infrastructure such as IT, customer services and social media, particularly during the prolonged recession.

“The benefits of which we are reaping now as the economy picks up again.”

The company, which employs more than 50 people, has more than 500 products and 20 different ranges.