HEALTHCARE group SSL, which owns the Cupal manufacturing site in Blackburn, is set to strengthen its foothold in the Far East.

The firm has said it intends to buyout its joint venture partner in Japan and to increase its sales push in the country.

"The Japanese market is exciting and fast moving and with these changes we will be able to take advantage of all the opportunities in that marketplace," said Stuart Wallis, chairman of SSL, which was formed last year through the merger of Seton Scholl Healthcare and condom manufacturer London International Group.

Seton Scholl's Japan arm already sells products manufactured by the group including footcare brands and surgical gloves.

"With the products we already sell there we believe that we have all the necessary expertise to take SSL into exciting new areas."

SSL will now try and sell its Durex branded condoms in Japan which is the world's largest market worth £200million. The group is one of only a handful of Western manufacturers operating in Japan.

SSL now employs around 7,500 employees and has a market capitalisation of more than £1.3billion.

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