AN EXPANDING aviation company is creating jobs and with the building of a new factory in Hampshire.

Percival Aviation Ltd, which supplies aircraft interiors and associated products, will shortly move into a 40,000sqft factory at Cartwright Drive, Fareham.

It will add 30 new jobs to its operation with the expansion.

The company outgrew Sapphire House at Segensworth and bought a large plot within 600metres of the site for its new factory, Hampshire House. It expects to be in the new premises by Christmas.

Percival Aviation launched a global expansion plan at the beginning of this year, securing a £6.85million funding deal with Santander to boost global trade.

In January this year, the privately-owned business opened an office in Dallas to support its expanding client base in the US, Canada and South America.

Chief executive Neil Percival said: “This new facility provides a significant and stable foundation for the business to continue its 40-year-plus history into the future.

“It will provide an environment where the people within the business can develop, learn new skills and prosper.

“At the heart of everything the business stands for is the customer and the investment made we will enhance our offer and proposition to our ever-expanding customer base throughout the world”

Managing director Chris Bench said: “This new facility follows our group strategy and plan to grow the business year on year.

“It will give us the room and resources to introduce new technologies and equipment to enable us to offer our customers additional options with their aircraft interior requirements”

Founded in 1978, Percival Aviation designs, manufactures and certifies aircraft interior products.

Its customers around the world include Flybe, British Airways, EasyJet, American Airlines and Qantas.

Percival Aviation said its customers could expect a significant increase in production capabilities, as well as new, innovative solutions to cabin interior problems.