A FIRM which makes electrical cable assemblies, control panels and wiring looms has moved into a larger and more energy-efficient factory.

Assembly Solutions Ltd (ASL) used a six-figure loan to help buy a 32,000 sq ft industrial unit in Nile Street in Bolton town centre, then rebuilt the structure to meet top insulation standards.

Bosses say the new factory uses no more energy for heating, despite being three times bigger than the old one.

ASL makes products for industries including electronics, automotive, general engineering, nuclear, utilities and construction.

Graham Balshaw founded it in 1995 and it won a Bolton and Bury business award in 2011.

Mr Balshaw said: “Business has grown steadily and we had a turnover of £2.5 million last year.

“It’s a niche business rather than high-volume, working with firms like Octare who make doubledeckers and are part of Leyland.

“We currently have 35 staff but expect to go up to 50 this summer with new work.

“We’ve had 50 in the past but the work is often project- based so the workforce rises or falls.

“Government schemes also influence the industries we cover. For example, it wants more diesel and electric hybrid engines for buses so we’ll soon be very busy with that.

“Vehicle work is often large-scale and each member of staff needs a big working area.

“At the last site we didn’t have enough space.”

The firm was founded by Mr Balshaw in 1995 and was previously based in a 10,000 sq ft site at Water Mead Works in Slater Lane.

The new factory is part a 10-year project to reach a £10 million turnover.

The new site was formerly a fruit-and-veg business then a storage warehouse.

ASL bought the old property and freehold from Bolton Council then spent £50,000 on rebuilding, putting on a new roof as well as replacing the plumbing and electrics and adding insulation.

Mr Balshaw, aged 53, grew up in Horwich and attended Rivington and Blackrod School.

He studied at UMIST before working for Philips and then Meggitt, the aerospace and energy engineering group.

ASL also does work for nuclear power station equipment which monitors for leaks and radioactive particles.

Other customers include United Utilities, for whom ASL makes panels for electricity sub stations.

ASL used a loan from RBS in Deansgate to fund the move.

Stephen Ford and Kay Wareing, from the bank, visited the site to have a look round.

Mr Ford said he was happy to help ASL.

He said: “It’s grown well, won the SME Bolton and Bury business award and has an exciting future.”