SPECIALIST yarn manufacturer Laxtons is set to double its manufacturing capacity by opening a new purpose-built spinning mill in Baildon next year.

It will mark its 110th year by moving from Guiseley to the 16,000 sq ft factory at the Sapper Jordan Rossi Park on Otley Road, next spring.

The family firm brought its production back to the UK from Italy, Spain and France in 2010 to the rented Guiseley site which it has now outgrown.

The multi-million pound relocation will bring its operations together in a single building with space to install new equipment as part of a planned expansion .

Laxtons makes fancy and worsted wool yarns for hand knitting, upholstery and clothing, for leading names including Debbie Bliss, Erika Knight, John Lewis, Chanel, Jaeger and Jack Wills.

It has invested heavily in state-of-the-art spinning equipment and in-house training of specialist operatives to raise quality and lower its carbon footprint.

Owner James Laxton said: “We are already in the process of extending our product range and increasing our customer base and require additional space as soon as possible to continue that expansion.

“The acquisition of this new facility represents a major investment for Laxtons and is clear demonstration of the upward trajectory we have been on since bringing our manufacturing operation back to the UK in 2010.

“We will be further investing in new equipment to allow us to grow the upholstery and clothing yarn ranges, and have already added an additional shift and a number of trainees to the rota to help cope with demand. ”

Russells Construction has started building the new factory to which Laxtons will relocate 24 staff from Gordon Mills in Guiseley.

James added: “Our employees are our most important asset and ensuring all would be able to come with us in the move was paramount. So we were delighted to find this site where we could specify our requirements for a brand new building.”

Laxtons is the fifth business to announce its relocation to the business park. Another two firms are set to confirm their move in the coming weeks.

Mark Taylforth, director of site developer Pendle Russells, said: “Laxtons is a huge success story for UK manufacturing, a business which is going from strength to strength, where investment in quality production is really paying off.

“We’re delighted to be building the UK’s newest spinning factory and helping a business which has so much history in this area, stay close to home without having to compromise on location or facilities.”