In a move which is more often seen going the other direction, the factory’s opening effectively relocates the company’s manufacturing operations to the UK, creating over 50 new jobs in the area of Eythorne, near Dover. On their new high-speed production line, the company also hopes to bring an abundance of new business to the area.

Established in 2003, the company manufactures and globally distributes Aluminium Composite Panels (ACPs) for use in a variety of industries including print, sign making, architecture and interior design. The new factory covers more than 10,000sq m with a capacity of five million square meters of ACPs per year.

Multipanel UK’s global sales manager, James Meylan, comments: “We are proud to bring our manufacturing to the UK and honoured that the Minister has taken an interest in what we are doing. Alupanel is the only product of its kind to be made in the UK and manufacturing here will enable us to provide our customers with an unrivalled product in terms of quality and service.”

He adds “The location in Dover provides excellent links to the transport infrastructure in the UK combined with easy access to the European road network which is ideal for our global distribution needs.”

Matthew Hancock, minister of state for skills and enterprise, opened the building, saying: “It is fantastic to see firms such as Multipanel bringing jobs back to the UK and investing in Dover. Visiting Multipanel has given me a chance to see for myself how, with the support of the local council and local MP Charlie Elphicke, the company is using Dover’s prime location to help drive business growth and create jobs.”

The news that the ACP manufacturer has decided to move to the UK is a good signal for the British sign-making industry and for the workforces around Eythorne.