Engineering news
Dyson is on the hunt for 650 engineers to develop smaller, powerful gadgets ranging from cordless vacuum cleaners to hand dryers.
The privately-owned British group launched a major recruitment drive after growing 2012 profits 19% to £364 million.
The move will bolster its engineering workforce by 45%, recruiting specialists in design, mechanics, software, acoustics, electronics and motors. About 250 of the new engineers will be based in the UK and 400 overseas.
The company, founded by Sir James Dyson, said growth was driven by surging demand for its lightweight, battery-powered vacuum cleaners, which have small digital motors.
Sir James, who founded the Wiltshire-based company in 1993, said: "We are growing because of continuing robust investment in research and development.
"We have been developing Dyson digital motors in Malmesbury for 15 years and we are now harnessing them to make smaller, more efficient machines."
Dyson ploughed 36% or £70.3 million of 2011 profits into research and development during the year, and in February opened a new £150 million manufacturing site in Singapore to increase its manufacturing capacity by 200%.
The company is launching its latest model in October, a lightweight cordless vacuum cleaner with the same power as a corded model.
Other new inventions include its Dyson Airblade Tap, which combines water, air and electronics in a single unit and can wash and dry hands in 12 seconds. It has also launched new cyclone vacuum cleaners, which extract more microscopic dust.
Turnover grew 17% to £1.24 billion with strong demand across Germany, Japan, Russia, France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
The new recruits will join its army of more than 1,500 scientists and engineers, who make up a third of Dyson's total 4,500-strong workforce. About 850 engineers are based at its Malmesbury headquarters.
Dyson chief executive Max Conze said: "We've delivered growth amidst tough competition and in challenging conditions.
"Our sights are set on expanding in Asia and Latin America and bringing Dyson technology to more people across China. Good technology is something people want around the world."
Sales volumes in Japan rose almost 30% during the year, and Taiwan is now one of its top-10 markets. Dyson launched in China in November and aims to be selling in 65 cities by the end of the year.
It now claims a quarter of the US market for upright vacuum cleaners, and saw sales in Spain grow by more than 30% during the year despite the country's deep recession.
In Australia and New Zealand, sales of its Air Multiplier fans and heaters surged 53%.
Dyson controversially moved its manufacturing to Malaysia a decade ago, and its products are sold in 67 countries.