Last updated at 14:04, Friday, 02 November 2012

A Cockermouth business has pledged its long-term commitment to the town by moving its manufacturing base back from Asia to its headquarters.

Planet Knox, based at the Derwent Mills Industrial Park, has invested £75,000 in the move from Vietnam.

The switch has already created five new jobs and the company has pledged to create more in the coming months.

The firm makes protective clothing for motorcyclists and mountain bikers and is developing new ranges for snowboarders and horse riders.

Geoff Travell, founder and managing director, said: “Bringing our manufacturing side back to Cockermouth has meant we are able to expand our facility and take more people on board.

“We are looking for new machinists, people who can process sales orders, administrators and graphic designers.”

The company has created the Knox Lab, which it has been working on for the last two years, and the manufacturing move means that 89 per cent of its products are now made in the UK.

The firm has been in Cockermouth for 13 years and employs 27 people.

Mr Travell said the switch meant they could supply products the next day rather than waiting for them to arrive from abroad.

He added: “This is massively important as it gives our workers a lot more job security.

“We are committed to increasing our capacity and product range.

“Technology, such as the internet, is moving much faster than five years ago and we need to react to the changing situation differently.

“It is vital for us to have our manufacturing base in the UK.”

The move has also allowed the company more floor space, because less storage is required. There is now a new show area for clients.

Mr Travell added: “We can be more flexible in terms of supply.

“It has been very positive for us and this change means we can make our products in the UK and then export them overseas.”

First published at 11:50, Friday, 02 November 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk