A COMPANY has given a vote of confidence to Houghton Regis by moving its HQ to bigger premises down the road.
Helapet, now of Lister House, in Blackburn Road, celebrated its move today (Tuesday) when the town mayor cut a ribbon in the presence of 35 invited guests.
Helapet distributes and manufactures cleanroom and hospital pharmacy disposables and MD John Blight said: “We could be based anywhere in the country.” But Houghton Regis benefits from being close to the M1.
“We have been residents of Houghton Regis for 10 years and we needed bigger premises,” Mr Blight added. “We were fortunate that our neigbours moved out.” The company’s new HQ has an total area of 20,000-sq-ft, including brand new clean rooms.
Houghton Regis mayor, Andrew Roberts, said he was pleased that Helapet had given a vote of confidence to the town.
“It is pleasing that we are still using space in Houghton Regis for industry and jobs because we need them,” Councillor Roberts said.
“I congratulate the company for doing well and expanding. From what I have seen today, I have no doubt that it will continue to expand.”
Mr Blight told his guests that the company had recorded record sales figures in January and March, with its best ever sales day, remarkably coming on the day of the move, despite all the turmoil. He paid tribute to his 23-strong workforce, which includes a relatively new five-strong workforce.
Helapet is a part of the CliniMed Group and has a turnover of £3million with ambitions to reach £6million in five years, with a growing workforce to match.
Helapet also manufactures filters for a wide range of commercial applications on the premises.
The company aims to continue to introduce more products into its markets and expand into exporting/