Blackburn-based MGS Technical Plastics (www.mgsplastics.co.uk) has spent more than £1 million expanding its headquarters and buying five Sumitomo Demag moulding machines to meet the demand for higher volumes.

The new 50-, 160-, 210- and 410-tonne moulding machines are suitable for high-end mass production, and they are all equipped with robotics to aid automation. MGS now has 20 machines, ranging from 35 to 800 tonnes.

The extension at its Blackburn premises includes offices, a dedicated materials store and a goods-receiving area, as well as a new tool-room to house the new machines.

Overall, the warehouse section covers about 300m² and houses 280 new bays of racking, plus 750 upgraded bays. An overhead crane has also been installed.

Neil Garrity, manufacturing director, said: “As a company, we have never been shy of making smart investments, from our multi-million-pound relocation to Blackburn earlier this decade to the expanded capacity and capabilities that our new purchases bring in 2017.

"It’s how we remain at the forefront of our sector, and it is the reason we win the levels of new and repeat business that maintain our position as market leader.”