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A Blackwood-based firm which exports to more than 50 countries across the globe has had its new manufacturing site officially opened by Wales’ Economy Minister Vaughan Gething.

Mr Gething visited Atlantic Service Company’s site on Hawtin Park Industrial Estate earlier this month.

The business, which supplies bandsaws and handsaws to the food industry, has experienced huge growth in the last decade and outgrew its former site near Crumlin, which it had been at for more than 40 years.

It moved to its new site at the former Musashi plant last summer.

Martin Hughes, Managing Director of Atlantic Service, said: “The new site is three times the size of the previous home and our growth has come about almost exclusively through exports, with significant help from Welsh Government.

“It’s a proud day for our organisation to have the site officially opened by the Minister for Economy and is testament to our improved standing and development in recent years.

“This is our platform to continue to grow the business for the benefit of both customers and staff, to increase employment in the local area and develop within our community.”

The official opening event took place 43 years after the company first moved to Wales, having been founded in Brooklyn, New York, at the turn of the 20th century.

Mr Gething was joined at the event by guests such as Caerphilly Council’s deputy leader Jamie Pritchard, as well as Chambers Wales CEO Paul Butterworth and Atlantic Service’s vice president Huw James.

Speaking about the firm’s recent successes, Mr Gething said: “Their export growth and success is a real inspiration for other businesses across Wales.”