A SPECIALIST plastics firm has unveiled a new £7m manufacturing and distribution centre.

Essentra has constructed a new facility covering more than 37,000 sq ft as part of a major development of its European headquarters in Langford Locks, Kidlington.

Essentra spokesman Joanna Speed said: “We have an existing site in Kidlington and we have built the new facility opposite which will provide scope for expansion.”

The company manufactures and distributes plastic, fibre, foam and packaging products and has an international network extending to 32 countries including 42 principal manufacturing facilities, 64 sales and distribution operations and five research and development centres.

It has had an Oxfordshire presence since the 1950s when it was known as Moss Plastic Parts.That firm was set up by Robert Moss, widely regarded as a pioneer of injection moulding and he supplied plastics to the Cowley car plant.

Now it employs a total of 240 workers with 15 new jobs created by the opening of the new building.

Ms Speed added: “The company has evolved in Oxfordshire and from a distribution point of view it has proved geographically very efficient.”

The new Kidlington site will act as a major distribution hub sending out products around the world with a next day delivery service.

Chief executive Colin Day said: "The investment in this dedicated facility underscores our commitment to delivering a market-leading product range and service level to our customers, combined with the flexibility and reliability of our extensive manufacturing capabilities.

“Additionally, it reinforces the commercial significance of our Kidlington site, both in terms of serving the domestic UK market as well as acting as a hub for our entire European distribution network.

“As such, this new centre will not only allow us better to capture future growth opportunities, but also to operate even more efficiently.” restaurant.”