The firm has been at its current factory for nearly 120 years but, thanks to the rise in waterside property prices in Leeds, managing director John Roberts was able to finance the modern facility.

The seven-acre site at Thornes Farm Business Park, which will house the single-storey, 10,000m2 building and replace its current six-storey building, should be completed by August 2004.

Our building just isnt suitable for modern manufacturing. We have production spread over three floors, so by moving to a single-storey building we expect to become jolly efficient, said Roberts.

The relocation will safeguard the jobs of its 120 staff and Roberts is confident that it will mean an expansion in workforce. It also hopes to boost its order books, as well as improve service to existing customers, added Roberts.

The company is now focused on achieving the BRC/IOP food accreditation, which will make it one of the most modern factories going by next year.

The 13m-turnover group includes a flexo printing division and a polythene and paper bag manufacturing facility. It also has a polyethylene extrusion business.