A LEADING computer company will create 500 new jobs at its state-of-the-art £13 million Bury base, officially opened on Wednesday (March 7).

The jobs boost, which will see the workforce of PC World Business increase to 1,000, will take place during the next five years.

And by 2003/4 the company, located at its new hi-tech headquarters at Waterfold Park, Heap Bridge, will see its annual turnover soar from £400 million to a staggering £1 billion.

This week's official opening ceremony of the three-storey building was conducted by Sir Stanley Kalms, chairman of the Dixons Group, which embraces PC World Business.

PC, which has transferred from its previous base in nearby Heywood, seeks to capitalise on a dramatic growth in business expenditure on new technology.

This growth is being fuelled by a post-Y2K bottleneck in new technology projects, combined with evidence that points to UK businesses adopting a pragmatic approach to the dot com revolution.

Managing director Mr Derek Lloyd said: "The uptake of new technology by UK businesses shows no signs of slowing.

"Businesses now understand the perils of under-investment in IT. "Those who don't invest are potentially cutting themselves off from the outside world and a customer base which is increasingly focused on speed, convenience and service."

He added: "Our new facility in Bury reflects that imperative. In a business like ours, it is essential to practice what we preach and we have built-in the very latest facilities to enhance communication with our customers."

Commenting on the company's vision for the future, Mr Lloyd went on: "We expect our total business sales, including through stores, to top £400 million this financial year.

"And our aim is to achieve sales in excess of £1 billion by 2003/4. This new facility, which will form the hub of our UK-wide operation, is a key to that aim."

The new HQ, which houses the administrative, call centre and warehouse facilities for the business, is complemented by 97 in-store business centres across sister company PC World's national network.

The Bury base, which currently employs a 480-strong workforce, aims to create an additional 500 new posts locally during the next five years.

PC World Business stresses that Bury is now an important hub for the information age.

The company chose Bury because of the calibre of the local workforce, and its management plans to forge close links with the local community and authorities.

During the opening ceremony, Sir Stanley Kalms said: "This facility really is state-of-the-art and the market in this area is vast.

"We, as a group, are taking this business very seriously."

PC World Business is a major player in direct IT products and services to the business user.

It offers a total IT solution for business customers nationwide via its 97 in-store business centres and a dedicated business direct operation from its Bury base.

The new building incorporates the latest telephone, IT infrastructure and working facilities.

Technicians build bespoke personal computers and these are then delivered by the largest logistics operation of its type in the UK.

PC World Business was founded in 1996 when it took over Heywood-based consumables company DNCS, which had been established for more than 20 years.