A COMPANY which provides specialist services to the air cargo and logistics sector has been shortlisted for business of the year in Halton Business and Tourism Awards 2014.

The firm has flown since it started in 2011 with two employees.

Mantar Engineering, which has a manufacturing base in Astmoor and offices at The Heath Business and Technical Park, has secured two key contracts at Manchester cargo centre and now has 11 staff.

A new facility at London Heathrow Airport is planned and regional contracts in Glasgow, Newcastle and Dublin are in the pipeline.

Managing director Natalie Robinson, aged 38, who founded the business, said: “Our customer base is primarily blue chip companies who expect a first class service. As a new company, we have worked hard to deliver these expectations.

“We will require a highly skilled workforce, premises, vehicles and working capital to secure the larger more lucrative contracts.

“We have achieved significant growth, confidence and credibility.

“This award would offer the recognition for this hard work and would reflect on the excellent team we have built up.”

Winners will be announced at a glittering gala dinner at The Holiday Inn, Runcorn, on Friday, April 11.