The factory includes a high-speed production line for the firm’s Aluminium Composite Panels, which it manufactures and sells globally. The products are used in the print, sign-making, architecture and interior design industries.

The new premises, which have created more than 50 new jobs within Multipanel UK, mark the relocation of the firm's manufacturing operations.

“Our products were previously made in China but will now be produced in the UK, which gives us better control over the quality and faster response times,” said marketing and business development manager Paul Mold.

“The move will also bring new business to local companies. We’re using a transport company based on the same industrial estate for our distribution and we’re producing literature here too, which we’re using a local printer for.”

The factory was officially opened on Monday (30 June) by Matthew Hancock MP, the minister of state for skills & enterprise, who visited the site with local MP Charlie Elphicke and members of Dover District Council.

The project includes warehousing, administration and production facilities that cover an area of more than 10,000sqm.

Multipanel will be able to produce an annual capacity of 5m sqm of its Aluminium Composite Panels including Alupanel, Alupanel A-Lite and Alupanel Ultra-White Digital, all of which are used in the sign and print industries.

“The products were previously imported from China into Felixstowe so we’ve taken on logistical and administration staff as well as production staff,” said Mold.

“Our Dover base is good for road distribution across the UK and Europe and we’ve got distribution in the US as well.”