A company which specialises in metal detectors for industry has moved into new premises after major growth.

Fortress Technology Europe has more than trebled its workforce to 20 and uprooted from the Banbury Business Park to a 10,500sq ft facility on Beaumont Road.

It has invested £2m in manufacturing high performance Phantom metal detectors from the site to service its customers in the food and pharmaceutical sectors across the UK and Europe, in addition to an existing facility in Canada.

Managing director Sarah Ketchin said: “The decision was made on commercial grounds after careful consideration of the needs of the UK business, and as a direct result of the increasing market demand for the Fortress range of metal detection systems, most particularly within the territories supported by the European office.

“Since the move to bigger premises last year we have focused on getting ready for production, with further investment in equipment, training and highly skilled personnel.”

She added: “The new production facility is an important milestone for the ongoing development of Fortress Technology.”

Fortress Technology was set up in 1999 and its detectors are used to identify metal contamination in food and drug manufacturing.