A MAJOR jobs boost for the area has been announced with a Chorley-based firm set to create 500 jobs over the next five years.

TVS Supply Chain Solutions, which has a huge distribution plant in Buckshaw, will help the Ministry of Defence save £500 million over 13 years through a procurement solutions contract.

MORE TOP STORIES:

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes the first UK visit in 10 years to sign trade and investment deals of up to £10 billion, TVS Logistics, part of the £4.6 billion India-based business conglomerate TVS Group, announced its Chorley-based UK subsidiary was to become its region hub for the whole of Europe.

It has won a key contract from the Ministry of Defence providing supplies to British troops.

The role will provide sourcing for the full range of MOD commodities including food, clothing, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

As part of the contract, worth £5 billion over the 13-year period, TVS will introduce improved procurement processes, resulting in a saving of more than £500 million.

The company, which already employs around 300 at Buckshaw, will expand its operations there and recruit hundreds more staff.

It will also open a new 165,000 sq ft advanced logistics facility in Barnsley, Yorkshire, where it will have its distribution warehouse and call centre.

The new facility is expected to create 100 new jobs.

A spokesman for TVS said: “The UK is a highly successful investment destination for TVS Logistics.

“We will continue to make further investments in the UK and will make it the gateway for future growth and expansion for its business in Europe.

“We are growing in the UK and we will create another 500 jobs in the next five years.”

Andrew Jones, CEO of TVS Supply Chain Solutions Europe, said: “We are determined to live up to the trust placed in us to provide a best-cost procurement solution and the delivery of outstanding levels of customer service excellence to support our troops.”