A FOREST firm has made a £1 million investment in new equipment.

The investment comes as the turnover of the Cinderford-based KW Bell Group reaches £50 million this year.

It’s Bell Plant arm has bought three 14-tonne excavators, four six-tonne excavators, six dump trucks, two rollers, a road sweeper and a beaver-tail lorry transporter.

Group founder Keith Bell said: “Group turnover will reach £50 million this year with the contracting business growing to £36 million from a pre-recession peak of £20 million.

“That’s not bad growth statistics from a family business in an industry with huge skills shortages.”

The group now employs around 400 people including apprentices and further growth is expected in its house-building arm, Bell Homes.

Mr Bell’s son, Peter, added: “We have a fantastic team here with a great work ethic and customer focus.

“They have embraced the challenge of growth and taken it head-on.”