Flintshire-based Ifor Williams Trailers (IWT) (www.iwt.co.uk) officially opened its new £5 million factory in Sandycroft last month, as part of its 60th-anniversary celebrations.

To mark the occasion, the company also launched two new horseboxes— the new HBX lightweight aluminium easy-to-tow trailer and the HBE, which has been designed for the more cost-conscious customer.

These join a comprehensive product range that also includes the Eventa trailer, which has living accommodation.

The guest of honour at the celebrations was Ken Skates, the Welsh government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Transport.

He was joined by other VIPs and around 300 distributors from IWT’s world-wide sales network — some from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.

As well as the new factory in Sandycroft, the company has manufacturing sites in Cynwyd, Corwen and on Deeside Industrial Estate; it employs more than 500 people.

Mr Skates said: “Ifor Williams Trailers is a real success story. Sixty years after it was first established, the company continues to go from strength to strength, and it is an iconic brand across the world.

“It is also a regionally important business, employing hundreds of local people and providing a boost to our economy.”