BAMBER Bridge-based heating company Baxi this week announced they are to create a new factory which will bring 100 jobs to Preston.

The £2 million programme, announced by Chief Executive Bryan Gray, will see the firm branch out, creating a new Baxi Air Management Division. Housed in state-of-the-art premises at Roman Way Industrial Estate, Longridge, near Preston, the team will make household air ventilation systems.

Around 25 new jobs will be created immediately and this should rise to the 100 mark in two years.

Mr Gray said: "We're delighted to make this announcement. This has taken us into a new area as we're best known for heating products.

"Heating is part of being comfortable and these new products will also improve comfort in the home.

"In the long term there will be more and more emphasis on air quality in the home, which is becoming an unhealthy place to live."

The new Baxi system which has been researched at universities nationwide gets rid of moist air in the home and replaces it with fresh filtered air from outside.

So far it has already won four Department of Trade and Industry SMART awards for product innovation and design.

Chris Droogan, Baxi Air Management's Managing Director, said: "In addition to new jobs we're investing a considerable sum in developing the company.

"This will include the creation of a specialist worldwide Web site in conjunction with Bradford University."

Production lines will be put in the factory over the next couple of months and the product is currently being marketed in East Anglia before becoming available nationally next year.

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