Mr Wickham said: "The expertise we have amassed by focusing only on the
ORIV market acts as a barrier to our competitors and it is this single mindedness from the beginning that has been our success."
But in recent months the business has also made significant steps forward with Japanese
ORIV maker Komatsu, which has a site in Birtley employing nearly 800 staff, for which it has been made a global supplier.
The 28-strong staff of Gate 7 produce specialist signage and printed material for installation on what most of us know as diggers ( the Off Road Industrial Vehicle (
ORIV) market which is dominated by names such as Caterpillar, Komatsu and JCB.
Ober is now an
Orivs Endorsed Dog Breeder, which is a badge few can wear and a testament to his dedication to his dogs.