AN EAST Lancashire manufacturer has received a consignment of new machinery as part of a £20 million investment which could help create new jobs.

Padiham based What More UK, which also owns the houseware brand Wham, says that the machinery represents a significant part of the investment and will be put to use in the company's production facility in Altham, Accrington.

The injection moulding machines, which the firm will use to manufacture home and bakeware, have now arrived and are ready to be installed, while company managers hope that this could lead to greater opportunities for both newer and more experienced staff in the near future.

What More director Tony Grimshaw said: "This is a good day for What More and for the wider manufacturing sector.

"With the arrival of these machines we’re securing our future and declaring confidence in British manufacturing."

He added: "It’s also a great opportunity for our engineering apprentices to gain experience working with and helping maintain the latest machinery under the supervision of our more experienced staff."

The company says that these machines are part of its investment strategy that was first unveiled in January this year and was hailed by local politicians including Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson, Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe and Burnley MP Anthony Higgenbotham as a major economic boost for the area.

The investment aims to see What More grow its factory space by 200,000 square feet which will help satisfy the increasing demand for its products.

Good produced at the company’s facility in Altham include storage boxes, kitchen and cookware, garden ware and products for the home laundry and utility room.

According to the company, all of these are made from single use plastics diverted from landfill and are exported to over 70 countries around the world.

What More UK already employs 350 people and says that it plans to take on more people in the coming months, which it hopes can help drive a local recovery from the economic impact of the pandemic.