Potential for dozens of new jobs if expansion plans of Witchford business are approved

An award winning business based in Witchford says it will be able to create dozens of new jobs in the next few years if its plans to expand are approved.

Cambridge Commodities, a manufacturer and distributor of ingredients for sports nutrition products, is based at the Lancaster Way Business Park and was crowned Medium Business of the Year at the 2012 Ely Standard Business Awards.

This week, the company entered a planning application to East Cambridgeshire District Council to build a new warehouse, packaging plant, clean room and offices.

If approved, the company said the new facility will allow it to take on an extra eight staff this year.

The company said: “The proposed erection of a new warehouse, with ancillary packaging plant, clean room, offices and associated infrastructure will enable the expansion of an existing local employer, which has seen rapid growth since its establishment in the 1990s.

“The proposal will enable the retention of the existing 36 staff, including 6 apprentices with a further eight staff, between 18 and 25 years of age, to be recruited this year.

“The expansion of the business and in particular that of the European market is projected to deliver a further nine members of staff in 2014 and another eight staff in 2015. Future expansion up to 120 employees could be accommodated at the new facility.”

The company says it is aiming to become the number one supplier in Europe in the coming years and has linked up with Cambridge University to continue its expansion.

A decision on the plans is expected within the next eight weeks. To view the plans, or to have a say, visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk