by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The loss of manufacturing jobs to China has been halted by a UK firm that is creating 50 jobs in East Kent.

Multipanel UK, a producer and distributor of aluminium composite panels (ACP), is bringing part of its manufacturing back from China.

The Exeter-based company is setting up a new factory on the site of the former Tilmanstone colliery in Eythorne, near Dover.

The company, founded by managing director Andrew Cock in 2005, will create 50 jobs in Kent, while keeping its existing headquarters and 14-strong workforce in Exeter.

Multipanel chose Dover after extensive work by inward investment promotional company Locate in Kent and its industrial property partner Core Commercial.

ACP products are widely used in the signage and commercial construction industries and Multipanel is at the forefront of their production, marketing and distribution.

They are sold in more than 40 countries, including the United States where it has a warehouse in Chicago.

As well as serving Europe and Australia, the company is targeting the emerging economies in Africa, Eastern Europe and South America.

Mr Cock said: “Bringing manufacturing back to the UK gives us greater control over our products and also means that we will be able to produce specials, which are one-off products, much more quickly, resulting in a better service to our customers.

“The UK is renowned for its quality manufacturing and we are pleased to be opening this facility in Dover, which obviously has excellent transport facilities for our products.”

Dover council leader Paul Watkins welcomed the decision, saying Dover had a great deal to offer companies like Multipanel “thanks to its connectivity to mainland Europe and the cost-effective commercial property on offer.”

Paul Wookey (pictured above), LiK chief executive of Locate in Kent, added: “We have seen a recent and significant upturn in interest from companies looking to invest and relocate to East Kent.”