FAMILY business Bakers Coaches has been going from strength to strength since it started trading nearly 78 years ago.
Last year was arguably one of its most successful with the Biddulph-based company securing a contract with UK agency Hino Travel to transport Chinese tourists to holiday destinations across Europe.
The contract saw the firm expand its fleet of coaches once more at a time when local authorities are scaling back their funding for local bus routes.
It also came on the back of a prestigious job working at the London 2012 Olympics when Bakers beat off stiff competition to be named one of the event's official transport providers.
The company's professional drivers also won praise from the Olympics organising committee LOCOG for their conduct when bringing athletes and event officials on and off site.
The summer of 2012 also saw Bakers Coaches called upon to help during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Stephanie Dean, sales and marketing manager at the business, said: "This past year has seen lots of change with new coaches coming into the business and the Chinese contract. That was a big thing for us."
Created in 1936 by James Baker, the family-run company is today headed up by James's son Phil Baker.
As well as offering coaches to hire for private events, the firm operates local public and school bus services and tours to holiday destinations.
Just seven years after relocating the business to a purpose-built facility on Victoria Business Park from the family's Spring Grove home, Bakers Coaches employs around 100 staff and operates a fleet of 23 coaches and 39 buses.
Its links with China have seen the firm enter the International Trade Award in The Sentinel's 2014 Business Awards.
Mrs Dean added: "In the last year we have worked so hard to get this business in.
"We have always been involved in the community in Biddulph and Stoke-on-Trent, so to be able to put something back into the area is a good thing for us."