A LONG-ESTABLISHED glazing firm that shed 20 jobs after its sale to a Suffolk business is poised to build a new factory in Medway.

Fineline Windows, based in Whitewall Road, Medway City Estate, was recently bought from the Elliott Group by A & B Glass, of Sudbury, for an undisclosed sum.

Fineline specialises in windows, conservatories and doors and operates outlets at Polhill Garden Centre, Badgers Mount, and Newnham Court Shopping Village, Maidstone.

Around 20 office and shopfloor jobs were axed after the takeover. "Unfortunately, we did have to make a few people redundant because we’ve got efficiencies and we had surplus staff," said general manager Simon Foster.

But it still left a workforce of more than 100 and had also brought an injection of new capital for a new IT system and office furnishing.

Mr Foster expected the sale to hasten plans for a new factory alongside the existing one in Whitewall Road. "It could mean more jobs once it’s up and running," he said.

The new factory would focus on aluminium products. The business had a healthy order book and the sale would bring further investment. It would also enable the company to expand into different product ranges. "We are looking forward to a much stronger and prosperous New Year," Mr Foster said.

The new group has a combined turnover of around £30 million. Fineline was established 27 years ago although its origins go back to the 1950s.