A major Thetford firm’s new warehouse will help facilitate the future expansion of the site.

TROX UK has been based at its current site on Caxton Way in Thetford since 1971 but has very little warehouse space.

The firm, which manufactures and sells air-conditioning and ventilation components, has had to use a number of rented premises out for the storage of its products.

The new storage and distribution building, which would be built on land to the north of the existing site, would provide 1,841sqm of floor space and 56 car park spaces - including 43 in a car park which will be built under the warehouse.

Rob Fawkner, operations director at TROX UK, said: “We are delighted with this project and we are very pleased to have secured a big investment in our site.

“It is a project that is going to provide us with a new warehouse now but is also a project which is going to facilitate further expansion of the site as part of our long-term business plan.

“The business does not currently have any warehouse facilities on site in Thetford. It is not good for us because we end up with fleets of lorries running back and forth to the external warehouses.

“This project will reduce our carbon footprint, improve our customer service and reduce our ongoing costs.

He added: “It is an investment in our company by our parent company [TROX GmbH] and a vote of confidence in TROX UK and our staff.”

Mr Fawkner described TROX as a “growing” firm and it employs 150 local residents and some temporary staff.

“Our business has been growing steadily over the last few years and it is secure and profitable,” he said. “We have taken on a small number of additional staff over the last couple of months.”

The firm’s planning application was approved by Breckland District Council at a planning meeting on Monday.

A previous application was approved in August last year but amendments were made including increasing the size of the warehouse and the number of parking spaces.

It is hoped the underground parking - on top of the current 85 - will ensure all TROX UK employees can park within the site and help to alleviate issues around parking on Caxton Way.