A FARNWORTH company is to open a factory in Taiwan. But Managing Director Harold Marshall is adamant that it is not intended as a replacement for the operation which currently employs 11 people in Egerton Street.

Bolton-born Mr Marshall, aged 62, who went to Sunning Hill primary school and Bolton County Grammar, founded Vantage Circuit Products Ltd in 1987.

The company supplies materials and chemical processes to circuit board manufacturers.

Mr Marshall, who is an electro-chemist, worked initially in the laboratory at the former De Havilland aircraft works in Lostock and held senior positions with other companies before branching out on his own.

He said today that their UK customer base had been reduced from 500 to 70 during the current manufacturing downturn.

And although they were still "doing OK" in home markets, the decision had been taken to expand operations in the far east.

A service centre which already operates in Taiwan is to start manufacturing next year with a view to supplying markets throughout Pacific Asia.

"I am going back in February to set up the factory," Mr Marshall said.

He will be helped by Miss Hsu Jung Ching, a graduate of National Chang University, who spent five months in Farnworth earlier this year learning the Vantage business.

Mr Marshall said the new factory would be a similar size to the one in Farnworth.

But it would not be a replacement because such a move would go against his patriotic instincts. Mr Marshall said he had recently attended the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association Trade Show and "the response was phenomenal."

He added: "We got one very nice order and we are following up a lot more. We had a super show."

And Mr Marshall is hoping for further success next March at the Chinese Printed Circuit Association show in Shanghai.