Sports shoe giant Hi-Tec has pulled up its socks after reports of a crisis last November -- and now its workforce can expect a pay boost.

For the company, based in Aviation Way, Southend, has just announced it made an astonishing turnover in Britain of £32 million.

Founder-chairman Frank Van Wezel said the firm has put its best foot forward to such an extent that its 120 employees are in line for bonuses.

He added: "I would not say the reports of a crisis were strictly accurate, but we did expect losses in the first half of the year.

"We also failed to find a buyer or partner in the US which would have helped our trading there, but we are not too bothered.

"You could say I am still looking for a partner and the search goes on. Meanwhile, we are doing very well here and it is good news for our staff at Southend. They can expect to receive bonuses."

Mr Van Wezel was adding to a Hi-Tec statement put out earlier by managing director Brian Chambers who reported "good progress" during the financial year which has just ended.

He said: "It was a momentous year which saw our No. 1 customer JJB Sports merge with our No. 2 customer Sports Division.

"Sometimes, when two customers get together, it can be detrimental to suppliers, but things have actually worked out in Hi-Tec's favour with increased orders being the result."

Mr Chambers said the £32 million turnover was for shoes alone, while there was also licensing income from bags and textiles.

Golf shoes and outdoor recreation boots did well. In golf, Hi-Tec continue to work with top British players Ian Woosnam and Laura Davies.

Mr Chambers added: "We have also seen a definite switch from the white athletic street shoes to brown casual hiking-type shoes and boots."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.