A MEDICAL device business is ploughing £7m into its Oxfordshire sites and is set to become one of the largest private employers in the county.

Owen Mumford is building a new 23,000 sq ft factory on the Primsdown Industrial Estate in Chipping Norton at a cost of £4m and also investing a further £3m in machinery at its Woodstock base.

The Chipping Norton move will create up to 30 new jobs on top of the 670 it already employs in the county, making it one of Oxfordshire’s biggest private sector employers.

Managing director Jarl Severn said: “These are exciting developments. We needed to expand our capacity and up our game to produce even higher quality products.”

Owen Mumford specialises in the manufacture of an “auto injector” which allows patients to self-administer exactly the right amount of a drug without having to visit a doctor. It also produces a device which allows diabetics to take a pin prick of their blood to measure insulin levels. The company has customers worldwide.

The family-owned business, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has enjoyed up to 15 per cent growth year on year in the last decade.

Asked about expanding in a recession, Mr Severn added: “We have probably been less affected than most but we cannot afford to be complacent.”

The new Chipping Norton site is expected to be open for business by Christmas with the recruitment drive ongoing.

Modestino Graziano, head of operations for Owen Mumford, said: “We are excited about the extension and expect some additional technical opportunities will emerge in the medium term.”

The new building has been designed by Chipping Norton-based architectural practice, John Hallam Associates.