A plastics manufacturing company unveiled a new £4.6 million moulding plant this week.

Boddingtons Plastics invited business guru Lord Digby Jones to open the factory next to its headquarters in Marden, near Maidstone.

The investment comes after a move into the medical and technical markets, prompting a spike in sales.

Managing director Andy Tibbs joined the firm in 2009 when turnover stood at about £4.5 million.

This year, revenues are expected to reach nearly £17 million, which he said had left the firm short of space at its existing site.

The new building, unveiled on Tuesday, includes a cleanroom to control contamination during production of precision parts.

Mr Tibbs said: “This site gives us more opportunities. We have created a world-class facility that will give us bigger customers.

“When I joined here we were in the middle of a recession. Back then 80% of our business was from the construction sector, which declined.

“We tried to shift the business into other markets so it had more stability going forward.”

Lord Jones added: “They have invested in absolutely state-of-the-art capital equipment which will make them globally competitive.

“They have created a centre of excellence. If every business in the nation was like this, we would not have problems. I wish them all the luck in the world.”