Up to 70 new jobs are to be created after a UK-based company received the go ahead to bring part of its manufacturing back from China, and establish a new factory in Dover.
Multipanel UK, a producer and distributor of Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) products based in Exeter, was attracted to Dover with the assistance of Locate in Kent, the county’s inward investment company, and the industrial property expertise of Core Commercial.
The manufacturer has acquired a 36,000 sq ft site in Millyard Way, Eythorne, near Dover, and will begin manufacturing by the end of the year on the site of the former Tilmanstone colliery, following a decision by Dover District Council this week to grant planning permission for a change of use of the land to allow general industrial use, and to allow other associated works.
The company says that capital investment in the next two years should be around £12.5m, with around 70 jobs directly or indirectly created.
Paul Wookey, Chief Executive of Locate in Kent, said: “We have seen a recent and significant upturn in interest from companies looking to invest and relocate to East Kent, which can only be good news in terms of jobs and is likely to continue now that Expansion East Kent loan funding is available.”
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: “This is really important news for the area. We are very pleased to have worked with Multipanel, and we welcome this move, and the boost it will bring to the district in terms of employment and the benefits to the local supply and support chain. This is another significant business investment in Dover District, and another key sign of ever-growing investor confidence in the area.”
Andrew Cock, Multipanel UK MD said: “We are delighted to be able to bring our manufacturing process back to the UK and particularly to Dover which has excellent transport links to UK and Mainland Europe. We hope our policy of purchasing materials and services locally will show our commitment to the area and build other support industries around us as we grow.”
The company will retain its existing headquarters in Exeter, where it currently employs 14 people.
As well as serving Europe and Australia, Multipanel UK is also targeting the emerging economies in Africa, Eastern Europe and South America.
