INNOVATION and creative thinking is behind the rapid growth of Melksham firm Grip It Fixings, according to its founder, the 21-year-old entrepreneur Jordan Daykin.

The firm, which was boosted by an appearance on the BBC's Dragons' Den, began trading in 2012 and is preparing to expand again, employing new staff and taking on a 30,000 sq ft unit in Westbury.

CEO Mr Daykin, who became the youngest person to go into business with the Dragons when Deborah Meaden invested £80,000 in the business, invented the unique plasterboard fixing with his grandfather.

It is now sold in 5,000 stores across the country and 23 countries worldwide.

He said: "Aside from innovation, I like to think one of our greatest attributes is thinking and acting outside the box.

"We have weekly meetings to discuss our products, but also to talk about how we approach our markets and try to make things different.

"I don't know who said it, but if you look after your staff, your staff will look after you, so I try to make sure they are happy.

"We have a pool table here and when we move to the new place we are thinking about getting a gym."

The company recently raised £2 million in just five days through a crowdfunding appeal to help fund international expansion, its new 30,000 sq ft unit on Westbury's Headquarters Road and new machinery.

Sales and marketing manager Nicky Harding said this was typical of the rapidly expanding business.

She said: "I joined the company about 18 months ago, when there was about five of us, and as my role has progressed, the scale has too.

"We are dealing with new customers every day in different countries.

"Every time the Dragons' Den episode is aired, my inbox gets filled with messages.

"It is mad to think that the BBC gets to all of these areas!"

As the £10 million business continues to enter new markets, with six new products being introduced in the next 18 months, Julie Taylor believes the dynamics of the company make for interesting work days.

The customer service and HR manager said: "I love it here because it is such a new company and there is such a passion for the product.

"No two days are ever the same. It is fantastic.

"Jordan is fabulous to work for. He is a great manager and gives you the reign to do what we are employed to do.

"A lot of managers tend to micro-manage but he doesn't do that: he trusts you to get on with the job. It helps that I have an absolutely fabulous team too."