by Neil Millard

neil.millard@essnmedia.co.uk

An aviation firm is giving New Addington a boost by moving its entire operation to the estate.

Adams Aviation and its 50 staff hope to move into their new premises, a former printing shop in Vulcan Way, in February, once the building has been refurbished.

The company, currently based at Biggin Hill airport, bought the site and is awaiting planning permission to convert it – mainly by adapting the roof.

Steve Gosling, the firm's sales and marketing director, said: "We're delighted to be investing £1.7million in the New Addington area."

This sum is what the firm is spending on building adaptations and the outright purchase of the site but New Addington was chosen for special reasons.

Mr Gosling explained: "There's a couple of good reasons. Firstly, we found the right sized plot we could do the right stuff with.

"Secondly, it's really close. I don't want to lose my team here. We have been very lucky in assembling a fantastic team and I don't want to put them in a situation where they have to drive further or get the bus further.

"And there are challenges that relate to being on an airfield (as we are). Not least of which is the fact we are tenants but in New Addington we will be freeholders."

The company was founded in 1968 and supplies aircraft parts to customers around the world. More than 50 per cent of its business is overseas and it has a turnover of £13 million.

It sells 120 product lines including emergency beacons, bolts and avionics.

New Addington councillor Brenda Kirby welcomed Adams Aviation to the estate.

She said: "That fact they are moving into a building that has been empty is really good for New Addington.

"I like their attitude. They are determined to be good neighbours and have leafleted the surrounding houses in Warbank and King Henry's Drive."

District centre manager Ken Sherwood was hopeful the firm would expand and provide more jobs.

"In principle as soon as the work is done they will move in. They don't want to keep their site in Biggin Hill," he said.

"They have run out of room very rapidly and they needed to find a bigger place and fortunately they decided to move to New Addington."

Mr Gosling told the Advertiser his company is hoping to expand in the longer term.

He said: "We are certainly in this recession only growing by 9 per cent, but I would anticipate we will continue to grow."