AN INTERNATIONAL manufacturing company is planning to expand into a new factory in Stonehouse and double its workforce in the next seven years.

Sartorius Stedim Lab Ltd wants to move from Stonedale Road on the Oldends Lane Industrial Estate into new purpose-built premises.

A planning application for the 48,000 square ft headquarters at the entrance to Stonehouse Business Park is due to be submitted to Stroud District Council by landowners and developers Robert Hitchins Ltd.

The company designs and manufactures laboratory filtration and diagnostic products including medical devices to clients including global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Managing director Chris Biddell said the current 85-strong workforce was set to grow to 150 by 2022 with further expansion envisaged after a multi-million pound two-phase investment.

“We are world leaders in our field and our clients demand a state-of-the art environment,” he said.

“A new building would give us a much more efficient work flow.

“It is essential for future growth.

“We want to stay in Stonehouse. Key for us are the people we employ.

“Every member of staff, from our ladies in assembly to the scientists and engineers, has a great work ethic.

“This new facility would meet our growth objectives and enable our local presence for many years to come.

“Our current site is inefficient and split over several buildings.

“Our Stonehouse engineering team is the Sartorius Centre of Competence for plastic development and design.

“Our group’s investment in Stonehouse is a vote of confidence in that excellence.”

The Stonehouse operation grew out of a business which Mr Biddell, an engineering graduate, began in his uncle’s garage in Oakridge 20 years ago.

Initially called Vivascience, it became part of German giant Sartorius Stedim in 1999, which employs 6,000 people globally and has a turnover of almost 1 billion Euros.

Anyone wishing to comment on proposals should email marketing@robert-hitchins.co.uk by Friday, October 17.