Melksham chair factory opens research centre in town

Herman Miller new building (Portal Mill) in Melksham
The firm has said its new site will allow more flexibility for making chairs and office equipment

A US chair manufacturer has officially opened its new research, manufacturing and distribution centre in Wiltshire.

Herman Miller opened its new building near Melksham after leaving its two bases in Chippenham and Bath where its products were made and distributed.

Operations director Graham Dean said: "It's about giving us expansion space to grow in the future."

Some 150 staff from the two bases have also moved to the new site but its head office will remain in Chippenham.

Portal Mill has a 170,000 sq ft (approx 15,794 sq m) floor space and has been built in Bowerhill, close to Melksham.

Apart from chairs the firm also makes office equipment and fits out office buildings.