A FAMILY-run manufacturing firm is a step closer to completing a move to new premises.

Meltham-based Disposables UK Group, which makes and distributes hygiene products such as toilet rolls and soap dispensers, is transferring operations from four separate sites to a single site at the former David Brown tractor plant at Meltham Mills.

The move – to be completed by mid-July – is part of an ambitious five-year growth plan to boost turnover from £16m at present to £30m by 2018.

The site, formerly occupied by textile firm Fred Lawton, became vacant with the transfer of some of its operations following a merger last year with fellow textile company William S Graham, of Dewsbury, to form Lawton Yarns Ltd.

Disposables UK, one of the largest employers in Meltham with about 100 workers, has already invested £1.7m in new machinery and is transferring its manufacturing, distribution and administration operations to the 150,000sq ft site in phases.

The company said the £700,000 move to the bigger site would bring many business advantages, including a faster turnaround time for production to allow the firm to further improve customer service.

The first phase, which saw the relocation of the distribution centre, was completed in March. This was followed by the staged transfer of production machinery with the transfer of “goods in” and raw materials following in May.

Managing director David Burkill said: “The move will have a really positive effect on our business in terms of our effectiveness and will also enable us to improve on the lean manufacturing we’ve been working on over the past few years.

“It will also allow us to increase productivity, make savings, be more competitive and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The firm’s new home will include 7,500sq ft of modern office facilities with a state-of-the-art reception, offices, training room and product display areas.

The manufacturing facility has been fully refitted with energy efficient lighting and encompasses goods inwards, production and finished product areas totalling 150,000sq ft. The manufacturing facility also includes new fully-automated production and packaging lines.

Mr Burkill said the company had been based in the area for 26 years and staying local was extremely important.

“Disposables is rooted in the region,” he said. “We have 100 staff and by staying in Meltham we are helping to safeguard their jobs.

“We have always traded profitably and our profits are reinvested into machinery, systems and people. Manufacturing is at the heart of our business and we are playing an instrumental role in the manufacturing renaissance of Kirklees.”

Among its major contracts, Disposables UK supplied hand towels, toilet tissues and soaps for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It also supplies washrooms at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, the O2 Arena and Twickenham and at pubs, clubs, hospitals, hotels and universities.

Disposables UK also distributes to Europe with France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Rumania key markets.