In 1979 the number of employees rose to 460, and by 1981 it peaked at 700. However, this state of affairs did not last and after 1978 profits plummeted owing to development costs associated with its new factory in Lancaster, and production losses at its new plant. In 1980 a team from the National Westminster Bank was sent to review the company's management and appoint a new managing director, Mr Anthony Kusmirek who joined the company in 1975 as project director. Noel Rawson the sales director and Anthony Kusmirek the new managing director were both dismissed after attempting to redress the company's sales performance and improve the product range. In 1981 the National Westminster Bank then appointed Gordon Barker as managing director and nominated a new management team.