Bosses of a huge multinational firm want to create a ‘global hub’ in a bid to attract customers from across the world.

Fujifilm owns the Speciality Ink Systems site in Broadstairs, which specialises in inkjet printing products, and screen and flexo ink development and manufacturing.

The extension at the Pysons Road Industrial Estate will create a global showroom for various printers and the ink they use, which are produced there.

Bosses say the proposal will provide “economic and efficiency benefits” for the firm, which employs more than 300 people at the site.

“There may also be some spin-off benefits for the hospitality sector and local businesses,” the planning application states.

“The proposal will create a high-quality extension and showroom and improve the character and appearance of the northern elevation of the building.

“There will be no impacts on residential amenity, given the industrial nature of the site and its surroundings.

“It will not lead to additional parking stress on the surrounding roads and is considered compliant with relevant national and local planning policies.”

Fujifilm top dogs are seeking planning permission to host a showroom in a two-storey glass atrium.

The firm has one at a site in Belgium, which means Broadstairs sales staff must travel there to meet a client interested in viewing a printer.

“Both the printers and the ink are manufactured at the Broadstairs site,” the application states.

“This proposal seeks to create a global showroom for the sale of the printers where they are manufactured, avoiding the need for sales staff to travel to Belgium.

“The proposed showroom will deliver significant operational efficiencies for the company and announce Broadstairs as the global hub for these types of printers, with customers visiting from across the world.”

Bosses expect a small number of customers to visit the site each week given the specialist nature of the printers and envisage two scenarios.

“First is where a specific customer arranges to visit the showroom and will likely involve one to three visitors,” the application added.

“It is anticipated customers will fly into the UK and get a taxi to and from the site as it is a global showroom.

“The second scenario involves open-day events where it is anticipated between 10-20 people will visit the site – three to four cars – with the remainder flying to the UK and travelling by public or private transport.”

Site access for visitor parking will be unchanged via Patricia Way.

It is not known how much the scheme will cost and if any jobs will be created as part of the proposals.

A spokesperson for Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems said: “We see a positive future for our digital print business, both in Broadstairs and across the UK.

“As such, with our continued focus on innovation and provision of high-quality solutions for our customers, we are in the very early stages of scoping out possibilities at our Broadstairs site, to take us into our long-term vision.”