A VETERINARY and pharmaceutical equipment supplier based is expanding its Horwich base in its 25th year of trading.

Funding from The Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS) commercial division in Bolton is enabling Woodley Equipment Company Ltd to add 2,000 sq ft of space to its Loco Works headquarters and increase its workforce from 48 to 52.

The company has grown from a £1 million turnover business to a projected £6.7 million and the latest premises expansion is testament to its rapid growth, the firm says.

Woodley operates from three offices and warehouse premises in the north and south of England and has an office and warehouse in Boston, USA.

As well as a UK nationwide sales force, Woodley has a network of 120 distribution partners worldwide serving the company's five divisions - Woodley Vet Diagnostics, Woodley Laboratory Diagnostics, Clinical Trials, Quantum Veterinary Diagnostics and Woodley UK Veterinary.

Managing director of Woodley Mike Wickham said: “We are looking forward to embarking on an extensive refurbishment programme at our new adjacent premises which should complete in the spring next year.

"We reached a stage where we needed to facilitate growth and storage and it was quite timely when the premises next door came up for sale. Logistically this works well and involves minimal disruption to our staff, customers and day to day business.

“We have banked with RBS for more than two years and have been impressed with their desire to support local businesses. Without the bank’s support we simply could not have achieved buying our new premises and creating new jobs – this is a positive move all round for us and the local economy.”

Relationship director at RBS Gary Mather said: “The Woodley team have always displayed an enormous amount of passion to keep building the business here in the UK and globally.

"With our latest round of finance we can support their business aspirations and I wish Mike and the team all the best as they expand their presence in Lancashire.”