A MANUFACTURER is latching on to its success in Worcester by moving its European headquarters here.

Southco is a specialist designer and manufacturer of handles, latches, and hinges for companies world-wide.

It has now relocated its HQ to new offices alongside its manufacturing plant in Wainwright Road, Worcester.

Russ Pender, managing director of Southco Europe, which employs 300 people in Europe and 2,000 worldwide, said the relocation was a key strategic move for the firm.

"It brings all of our European sales and marketing, finance, customer services, sector management and human resources teams to the same site as our engineering teams and manufacturing facilities," he said.

"Having all of our operations working together on one site not only reinforces our commitment to our UK centre of manufacturing excellence, it also considerably strengthens Southco in Europe.

"With business units combining sales and marketing with engineering and those dedicated teams sitting alongside our world-class manufacturing facilities, Southco will offer all access solutions under one roof."

The Worcester plant opened in 1995 and today it produces more than 1,000 different access hardware lines, half of which are exported throughout the world.

Its accessories are used in the marine, networking, telecommunications, computer, automotive, construction, caravan, and industrial machinery industries.

Mr Pender added: "The strategic move of our European headquarters marks the beginning of a new era for the organisation which will lead the way to new levels of creativity and innovation for customers."

The new headquarters will be opened on Tuesday, July 19, by the Mayor of Worcester, Coun Aubrey Tarbuck.

"The company's business focus is a constant effort to solve customers' problems by connecting, creating and innovating to provide the best solution for every access engineering problem.

"We are about connecting with customers, understanding their needs and creating value.