IF you have visited venues like the O2 Arena or Wembley to watch your favourite band, the chances are you have sat on a chair manufactured by Westbury-based firm Audience Systems.

First established in 1972, the company employs over 103 staff split across 20 departments at its base in Washington Road on the West Wiltshire Trading Estate.

The company boasts over 1,000 clients in the UK alone and exports its products all over the world.

Keith Ritson, managing director of Audience Systems for the past four years, said: “We have done seating for large arenas, schools, universities and small stands for football grounds.”

In 1993 Audience Systems was taken over by the Japanese corporation Kotobuki, which helped the company expand on a global scale. It now ships to Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe, and has seen a huge increase in business.

“In the last four years we have increased revenue from £8 million to just over £11 million. We have also started taking on apprentices and we look to employ local people,” added Mr Ritson.

Audience Systems prides itself on its family atmosphere and a number of long-standing employees say their lengthy careers are testament to that.

Engineering and tooling development manager Steve Wood, 64, said: “I am retiring in three months after being here for 27 years.

"I started on an apprenticeship at Stothert & Pitt and then started moving up in the company.

"I do enjoy my work and being on the creative side of it all.”

Advances in technology mean the way people work has changed dramatically over the years.

Senior engineer supervisor Anthony Watkins, 62, said: “I have been working here for 28 years and in that time we have seen the introduction of Computer Aided Design (CAD) – before we used a drawing board system.

"The schedule is different due to the changes but the company still works more or less in the same way. I think the fact I have been here for 28 years says a lot about the firm, I do like it here.”

Even new apprentices have noticed the friendly work environment.

Apprentice engineer Anthony Thompson, 27, said: “I have been here for three months and it is really nice. It is a really good place to work and everyone is very friendly.

"I’ve always wanted to be an engineer. It started as a hobby, working on cars, but then I saw the opportunity being advertised and I applied.”