A NEW manufacturing facility which is set to produce up to £19 million worth of products annually has opened in Poole.

PBH Manufacturing has consolidated four other sites - three in Poole and one in Blandford – into the new 44,151 sq ft facility at Broom Road.

Once production is fully up to speed early next year, manufacturing in Poole is expected to represent 50 per cent of the forecast £38 million annual turnover of its parent group, Poole Bay Holdings.

The business was founded by Martyn Bright and Mike McKenna 24 years ago, and is better known through its multiple brands and websites including JustGloves, FirstAid4Less, SafetySigns4Less, NBB Outdoors and Koolpak.

The new manufacturing facility, which employs 70 people, was officially opened by Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale.

Addressing staff and guests after touring the site, she said: “Facilities like these are so important to our local economy.

“When I speak to people about this area their immediate reaction is that it’s seaside and retirement.

“But it’s my absolute privilege and honour to tell people about the really vibrant local economy that we have here.

“It’s companies like yours that are really pushing to make things and grow our economy in Britain.

“I’ve walked around your new site and seen all the ‘Made in Britain’ signs which is amazing.

“As a company you’re integrating sustainability and community into the core of your business. That is the future.

“I’m really excited to see the company grow.”

Mike McKenna, chief executive of Poole Bay Holdings, said: “This facility looks fantastic and is a credit to everyone here.

“Martyn and I started our careers in manufacturing and both of us have been very keen to develop manufacturing in the UK for some years.

“In a short while, manufacturing will represent 50 per cent of our turnover which I think is staggering.

“That’s basically down to you guys so thank you very much.”

The main head office and distribution centre for Poole Bay Holdings is at Fleets Corner Business Park in Poole.