A LONG-established Dorset manufacturer is to amalgamate its three factories into a purpose-built base.

Parvalux Electric Motors has signed a deal to buy an 8.75-acre site in Cabot Lane, Poole, previously occupied by Barclays and Siemens.

The company, which has around 200 staff, aims to start building a 140,000sqft factory and headquarters later this year, subject to planning permission.

Parvalux managing director, Nick Spetch says: “Parvalux has been a major employer in the Bournemouth area since 1957 and this is an incredibly exciting move.

“We chose Cabot Lane because it uniquely enables amalgamation of our three existing factories to create a single purpose-built manufacturing centre and importantly, is easily accessed by our highly-skilled workforce.”

Parvalux was bought by Swiss company Maxon Motor in December 2018.

Mr Spetch said: “Following hot on the heels of the acquisition of Parvalux in December 2018, this significant investment underlines our parent company Maxon’s commitment to the local economy and to growing the global Parvalux brand.”

Wallisdown-based Parvalux has been building geared motors for more than 70 years, supplying businesses around the world in the automation, agriculture, leisure, healthcare and transport sectors.

Founded in 1947, it moved to Dorset a decade later. It has been based on a large site at Wallisdown Road since 1961.

It has three manufacturing sites in Poole and Bournemouth and a service centre in Bournemouth.

It has built and shipped more than 20 million units to more than 80 countries worldwide.

Parvalux had a turnover of more than £23m as of 2018. Last year, it offered more than 12,000 product lines to 1,137 customers.