BASE Handling Products has moved to an 8,000 square foot unit on the Barleyfields Industrial Estate in Brynmawr after a period of sustained growth.

The family-run business prides itself on the quality of a wide range of mechanical handling equipment which it manufacturers mainly for the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

The client list includes a number of big names including Birds Eye Walls, Burton's Biscuits, Campbells Grocery Products and Geest Prepared Foods.

Base is on target to increase its turnover by a staggering 100 per cent this year.

Managing director and founder Ernie Pitt set up the company in 1985 after returning from a career in South Africa's engineering and mining industries.

It's a genuine family business with Mr Pitt's wife Betty dealing with the accounts and son Andrew being responsible for sales and marketing.

Based in the heart of what was the Welsh coal and steel industry, Base claims to mirror the area's traditions for innovation and quality.

The in-house design facility uses the latest CAD (computer aided design) programmes, and alongside the machining, fabrication and finishing workshops, it enables the company to take a design from concept to finished product.

The relocation was assisted by an Assembly grant. NatWest, the company's bank, was also pleased to be able to support the move, which should create some additional manufacturing jobs.

Andrew Jones, NatWest's senior business manager in Newport, said: "Small and medium enterprises are vital to the Welsh economy and it is pleasing to see the business flourishing.

"I wish the company all the success for the future."

Mr Pitt said: "I'm delighted that Base Handling Products has been able to expand.

"The relocation means that we can look forward to an exciting future."