A BRADFORD-based office furniture manufacturer is to invest £3 million in its facility in the city.

Flexiform Business Furniture, which has its head office, factory and showroom off Leeds Road in Thornbury, has announced the multi-million pound investment.

The firm has grown significantly in recent years and now employs 160 people, generating a turnover of £29 million.

Its core business is the manufacture of office furniture for a variety of customers, including Government organisations, major blue-chip companies, the education market and private businesses.

Its customers include Fox Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Admiral Insurance, Leeds City Council and HMRC.

Alongside this, Flexiform also has a sister brand, Asgard Secure Steel Storage, which manufactures and supplies high-security metal sheds for bikes, motorcycles and gardens.

Flexiform has been running at full capacity in recent years, which has been restricting its ability to grow further.

Led by managing director Nick Hewitt and with the help of Manufacturing Technology Centre, Flexiform has carried out a “value stream mapping exercise to identify the current issues, define the future capabilities required and develop a “road map” to deliver the improvements.

As a result of this exercise, Flexiform has recently invested £300,000 to update its paint application facility with the purchase of a Gema paint plant.

A further £1 million has been invested in a Bystronic Laser and a Salvagnini Panel Bender and further investments, including IT systems and robotic welding, will follow.

The total planned investment is £3 million.

Managing director Mr Hewitt said the investment and changes would allow the firm to expand.

He said: “Investing in up-to-date technologies and reconfiguring the current space will enable Flexiform and Asgard to grow considerably while remaining at our current location.

“The business will embrace the latest production technologies and systems to deliver a lean, modern, flexible and high production facility.”

Flexiform designs, manufactures and installs office furniture throughout the UK, with a team of interior designers and space planners, to help customers design their ideal office space, from empty shell to fully-functional, completed office.

Its installation teams also work countrywide, aiming to ensure a smooth and stress-free office transition.

The firm has been a leading UK designer, manufacturer and supplier of high-quality office furniture, office storage and office seating for 40 years.