Shares in Send Group, a products firm with a modular building arm, rose 29.5p to 41.5p in its first day of trading on the alternative investment market on Tuesday.
The company, which has been impressed by the sharp increase in demand for modular accommodation from its Rollalong subsidiary, said it intended to invest heavily in IT and research and development to take advantage of the growing market.

Rollalong marketing manager Nickolas Dicks said the AIM listing and the demerger of Send from parent group TT, an electrical components specialist, gave Rollalong more freedom and access to investor funds.

He said: "The investment in research and development and IT will combine with the growth we're already enjoying. It is exciting times and we're heading in the right direction."

But David Taylor, an analyst with stockbroker Teather and Greenwood, sounded a note of caution.

He said AIM-listed companies sometimes struggled to attract investors and often suffered from low valuations.

He said: "It may be difficult to generate interest, but it may get some attention and move up from there."

Rollalong, which is based near Bournemouth and has 300 staff, posted pre-tax profit of £800,000 last year on a turnover of £28.2m. Net assets were £900,000.

Dicks said the company had secured more than 50% of its projected turnover for this year, primarily in education schemes and work for the Ministry of Defence.

Dicks said there had also been a sharp upturn in demand for portable accommodation on construction sites as contractors improved site conditions. Clients include Kier, Mowlem and Prowting.

The modular buildings, made of steel, timber or concrete frames, are all made in Rollalong's factory in Dorset.