A leading Highland hi-tech manufacturing company has experienced rapid growth since its move into new purpose-built premises at Alness Point Business Park in Ross-shire.

Speaking this afternoon (Tuesday 11 March 2003) at the official opening ceremony of the new state-of-the-art £2.5million Clean Room facility, research director Dr Ron Thomas of Mupor Ltd said:  "This move is one of the biggest developments in the history of the company, and a vital stepping stone to future success. 

"In particular, our improved Clean Room facility has allowed centralisation of production processes, and this has already driven improvements in quality and allowed streamlining of operations.  With increasing interest world-wide for our products the company is now well placed to make the most of these opportunities."

Work on the Clean Room facility began over a year ago and was driven by the company's need to increase capacity to meet forecast demand, particularly for its patented microporous film made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).  The hydrophobic 'breathable' membrane has a wide range of applications in industries ranging from healthcare to safety, and has won a number of technology research awards since its invention in the late 1980s by Dr Thomas. 

Clean conditions are vital to the manufacture of the unique product, and in 1991 Ross and Cromarty Enterprise persuaded the company to relocate from heavily industrialised Teeside to rural Alness.  Since then, the company has established strong roots with the area and witnessed a five-fold increase in sales.  Staff numbers have risen to 23, and the company expects to recruit a further 15 over the next three years as expansion continues.

In 1999 Mupor's achievements attracted interest from Porex Corporation of Atlanta, Georgia, who bought the Alness firm giving Mupor easier access to global markets, particularly in America and Asia.

However, a lack of space at the company's premises on River Drive in Alness was hampering efforts to meet this international demand, and Mupor turned to Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) for assistance towards building new Clean Room premises to allow the company to expand further.

RACE agreed to fund the 23,200 sq.ft. factory, which houses two highly specialised Clean Rooms; production areas for manufacturing; laboratories for research and development and quality control; offices; a conference room; and a staff canteen.

Senior members of Porex flew over from the United States for the opening.  Jim Wingo, President of Porex Porous Products Group said:  "We are delighted with the new facility in Scotland.  We are committed to further developing the business over the coming years, specifically in areas that will fully exploit the expertise and facilities available at Alness."

Gordon Cox, chief executive of Ross and Cromarty Enterprise was also at the ceremony.

"Today marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of one of the area's most successful companies," said Mr Cox.  "We have had a long relationship with Mupor.  They are one of the first inward investment projects that we brought to the area and we are proud to continue to assist them as they expand. They are at the leading edge of their field and symbolise the kind of high-tech, science-led activity that we are trying to encourage in Ross-shire.

"Mupor provides high-quality employment and this expansion will help to ensure the long-term stability of the business, creating even more jobs over the next three years."