Richard Rogers is looking forward to the increased productivity and improved competitiveness that his new, state-of-the-art Prussiani CNC workcentre will bring to his company, RR Stone.

The investment follows the installation of a £25,000 crane system in his factory, which will help with the loading and unloading of the new workcentre.

Richard formed R R Stone in 2002. He started his business from his home in Windermere, Cumbria. But he had ambitions and gained more space when he was able to buy the dilapidated Gatefoot Mill in Staveley, where he and his team are now based.

Since then, R R Stone and its sister company, A House of Stone, have expanded considerably and moved into the granite and quartz worktop market.

Richard says of his new machine: “We are delighted that we can now use the Prussiani CNC machine to fulfil and exceed the expectations of our customers.

“Production will now be typically up to three times faster, as the machine can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Previously, we had been using a much smaller machine and this is a huge upgrade. It’s a state-of-the-art piece of equipment.”

The investment was supported by a grant from the regional growth fund.