GKL House is a modern open-plan style building, of tailor-made A1 office space, in Club Way, Cygnet Park.

Upon entering you immediately notice the words Passion, Process and Value – the three key principles to which the company adheres.

Glazed panels with stem leaf motifs throughout help to give the space a work and people-friendly atmosphere, graphically illustrating the intention to grow.

The structure incorporates modern technology, such as evaporative cooling, with its constant flow of fresh air, and which has environmental and cost benefits compared with standard air conditioning.

This reflects both the company's investment in people and its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. A carbon trust loan of 25 per cent of the cost was granted for the evaporative cooling.

And, perhaps crucially for what is an expanding business, the office core has space to accommodate up to 15 new staff in the next 12 months.

Which is all a far cry from the impression of GKL as one of dirty lorries and skips on driveways.

Look all around you and you begin to appreciate the success of a family-owned company that has grown more than 300 per cent in the last five years, operating with offices and capabilities across East Anglia and the Midlands, and generating an operating turnover of about £40 million.

GKL House is situated above the new Volvo Truck and Bus Centre, a bespoke design and build multi-bay servicing facility which GKL built.

The neighbouring structure, and another GKL project, is the new Jewson building on a 2.5-acre site. It's a new "landmark" customer centre.

All this in the business park area of Hampton, Peterborough, which has been integral to the success of GKL almost from inception.

"Virtually all the mainframe infrastructure within Hampton has been built by GKL," said director James Brackenbury.

It was all so very different nine years ago when managing director Eamonn Killoughery and wife Susan started the company based at the former Orton brickworks. At the time, GKL was solely a civil engineering and haulage firm.

James joined a year later, the company began to diversify and grow, and now employs 230 full-time staff, 80 of whom are in Peterborough.

Today, GKL, across its southern and northern bases, is active in a number of fields in addition to civil engineering and haulage.

These include property maintenance, design and build projects, logistical support, plant and machinery hire, quarry operations, tippers and grab lorries hire, and more besides.

"We specialise in providing prompt, cost-effective and reliable support to our corporate and SME customers," said James.