Dental and medical company Henry Schein has opened an 85,000 sq ft warehouse and office in Gillingham Business Park.

Medway’s mayor Cllr Barry Kemp and Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti joined the firm’s chief executive Stanley Bergman to cut the ribbon on the new premises.

The new base will put all the company’s South East operations in one place, with a packing line there and staff using bluetooth technology to complete orders.

An ancient Portuguese coin was found during an archeological dig at the site, on a former Army barrack’s training facility.

The company also had to spend £100,000 rehoming dormice living there to nearby Amberley Wood, while lizards and slow worms were moved to Capstone Park.

Mr Bergman said: “A lot of hard-work and careful planning went into this project to ensure the most up-to-date equipment and eco technology was used, and I would like to congratulate the team, which has done a fantastic job.”

Gillingham and Rainham MP Mr Chishti said: “Henry Schein is a fantastic local business that not only employs local people but is also fully involved in the local community and I am delighted to see the company’s expansion into their new warehouse and office facility.”

Established in 1991, Henry Schein Dental now employs 1,000 people at its Gillingham base.