A COMPANY which re-located to Okehampton from Exeter two-and-a-half years ago is planning to double its factory size and create more space for industry in the town.
Southern Lubricants has submitted a planning application to West Devon Borough Council to build 8,000 square foot of factory space in six to eight units behind its premises in North Road.
The company will expand into some of the units, doubling the amount of its current floor space, and the remainder of the units will be put up for rent.
Managing director of Southern Lubricants Simon Olford said the plan was to create another small industrial estate at the rear of the factory.
'We have been planning an expansion for some time now but it makes sense to create some extra units so other businesses can use them if we do not need them,' he said.
With 12 employees already on the payroll Mr Olford said it was very likely that more jobs would be created by the expansion.
'One of the best things we have done is to move to Okehampton,' he said.
'When you look at a map and put a pin in the middle of the South West you get Okehampton and we can service all our customers from Bristol to the tip of Cornwall from here.'
Exeter Bee Supplies has also applied for planning permission to build a storage unit at Exeter Road Business Park. One of the biggest suppliers of bee keeping supplies in the country, the company is looking to expand its showroom area for potential customers who come from all over the country including Northern Ireland and the offshore islands of Scotland.