Medical equipment manufacturer and supplier Karl Storz is investing £1.7 million to triple the size of its Dundee plant.
The move, supported by a £170,000 regional selective assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise, will see around a dozen new jobs created at the enlarged plant.
Contractor ISG has already begun work on the site in Thomas Wise Place part of the extended Ninewells Hospital campus and the new plant is expected to be fully operational by October.
Finance director David McArthur said the build was part of the company’s strategy to increase turnover to £60m in the UK by 2020.
The firm, which is also substantially increasing capacity at Dundee’s sister site in Slough, achieved revenues of £40m in 2012, approximately 7% ahead of its 2011 return.
The company supplies high-end endoscopy equipment to the NHS and private healthcare companies and recently moved into the veterinary and industrial sectors.
Mr McArthur said: “We see this as a means for Karl Storz to position itself for future growth and ultimately that will mean an increase in workforce in both Dundee and Slough,
“At the moment we have 22/23 staff in Dundee and we expect that to grow to around 35 staff.”
The investment in the Dundee plant, which is being carried out by contractor ISG and overseen by Broughty Ferry architects Wellwood Leslie, will create new accommodation for the company’s technical repair operation as well as increasing its demonstration space and refurbishing and adding to the existing office space.
“We have been in Dundee for a considerable time now and we are very much committed to remaining here and positioning ourselves for ambitious growth,” Mr McArthur said.
“We have pretty much outgrown our current premises and this investment will gives a much better working environment to perform in.
“We have a 2020 vision of achieving turnover of £60m and to achieve that we have to ensure we have got all of the resources in place.”
ISG said it was delighted to have been appointed to build the 12,900 sq ft extension to the company’s Dundee plant.
The project has a number of sustainable construction elements and the new structure will be topped off by a planted green roof to absorb CO2 and other pollutants.
ISG Scotland managing director Andy Mallice said: “It is particularly pleasing to support successful international businesses with a strong Scottish presence, and we are confident that these new facilities will further underpin Karl Storz’s plans for the future.”
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