A manufacturing company that has doubled exports in the last four years to 80 per cent of its products has celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Dorset success story Parvalux hit the milestone – described by Managing Director Doug Sheppard as “a proud moment” – on December 10.

The electric motor and gearbox manufacturer, which employs more than 200 people, is part of the Swiss-based maxon group.

Currently based in Wallisdown Road, Bournemouth, it is amalgamating its UK factory units and headquarters onto a single brownfield site covering 8.75 acres in Poole.

Work on the 14,000 square metre development in Technology Road, costing £29.8 million, began in 2020.

Parvalux is due to relocate all its operations on completion of the work next year.

The company was started in Romford, Essex, in December 1947, selling motor rewinds.

An electric motor balancing machine circa 1960s.

It relocated to Bournemouth in 1961, expanding its services to include the design and manufacture of complete gear-motor units for industrial applications.

Over the decades the business expanded, investing in new technology and its people.

Four years ago Swiss motor manufacturer maxon acquired Parvalux.

The group operates in 40 countries and employs more than 2,050 people with the majority, over 1,316, based in Sachseln, Switzerland.

At the time of the acquisition, Parvalux had 185 employees in three production sites in Bournemouth.

The company generated revenues of £23 million annually, with just over 40 per cent of products being exported globally.

Fast forward four years and Parvalux now employs 200+ staff, has an annual turnover of £26.3 million and exports over 80 per cent of its products globally.

It is considered a leading manufacturer and centre of excellence in engineering.

Since 2018, Parvalux, as part of the maxon group, has continued to grow globally.

In January this year Doug Sheppard, pictured right, took over as Managing Director.

His appointment heralded the dawn of a new culture with a revitalised workplace, investment in people and ambitions to grow the business.

Doug, who was recognised as an Inspiring Leader at The Manufacturer Top 100 last month, said: “Reaching our 75th anniversary is a proud moment for the business.

“Our longevity is a testimony to the innovation and hard work of our people throughout the decades.

“We still have employees in the business that joined over 40 years ago who share their knowledge with new talent joining us now, combining years of motor design expertise and the latest engineering approaches.”

The new site in Poole will provide additional room for future growth including a £3 million investment in new production machinery.

It will house existing operations and also add capacity to double the business, and workforce, by 2030.

The state-of-the-art building will achieve a net zero rating.