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A prosthetic limb manufacturer has announced a £15 million investment to build a state-of-the-art operations centre in Basingstoke.
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The global manufacturer and provider of prosthetics, orthotics, and what it claims are advanced seating technologies, Blatchford, has said this new development will create a new operations building in Basingstoke.
Work is underway on the new centre at Bilton Road, which the company hopes will be fully operational by the end of the year.
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The operations centre aims to significantly increase the company's manufacturing and innovation capabilities to meet the growing demand for mobility solutions.
The multi-million-pound investment will create a 70,000 sq ft operations centre.
This will replace Blatchford's current manufacturing base in Lister Road, bringing together the manufacturing, assembly, and distribution teams under one roof.
The new centre will double Blatchford's operational footprint and house the latest manufacturing and design technologies.
This will increase the company's machining capacity by half, increase its production efficiency by 30 per cent, and provide space for future job creation.
The new site will also provide enhanced facilities for staff.
The site will house 180 employees and feature upgraded working conditions, a staff canteen, an on-site gym, and improved parking.
The company, which has been based in Basingstoke since the 1960s, said the new operations centre "cements [their] continued commitment" to the town.
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Blatchford's CEO, Paul Roberts, said: "Over the past five years, we have experienced remarkable growth, driven by cutting-edge technology developed here in the UK and an increasing demand for our solutions worldwide.
"As we continue to expand, our existing manufacturing capacity can no longer keep pace, making investment in a state-of-the-art facility essential to fuel our next phase of growth.
"At the heart of everything we do is our mission to improve the lives of patients.
"This investment will not only strengthen our incredible workforce in Basingstoke but also enhance our ability to develop and deliver life-changing prosthetic technology to more people around the world."
The company is committed to sustainability, and the new building is being designed to meet the highest environmental standards.
A solar panel system is fitted to the roof, and advanced air-source heat pumps will be used instead of gas.
Blatchford was founded in 1890 and employs more than 900 people globally.
The company has been the NHS's supplier of choice since 1948 and has operated the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre for the Ministry of Defence since 2006.
Mr Roberts added: "By increasing our manufacturing capabilities, we can accelerate innovation, improve accessibility, and empower more individuals to lead independent, active lives.
"This is a pivotal step in unlocking an exciting future for Blatchford – one that ensures we continue to push the boundaries of possibility for prosthetic users while driving UK innovation on a global scale."
