The company had applied for planning permission to relocate its existing six-acre Thrapston site to meet demand, but that has now been turned down, leading the company to look for an additional site.

"We’re pretty much at capacity at our original premises and our truss and easi-joists business has had an exceptionally successful five years, with last year being its best ever, despite market conditions," said chairman David Scott. "It will give us both additional capacity and enable us to serve another geographical region."

The exact location of the new facility has not been disclosed, but Mr Scott said it was around 70 miles from Thrapston, with premises of 20,000ft2 on a 2.5-acre site.

"It is a whole new start-up operation and we’ve recruited Richard Evans, who has long experience and is very well known in the trussed rafter sector, to lead the business," said Mr Scott. "We will also initially be recruiting a team of 12-15 people for the plant. It’s an exciting project for us."

All the machinery for the factory has been bought and everything should be in place by around Christmas.

The Scotts plant in Thrapston will also continue its truss and metal-web operation, and the new facility will develop its own independent customer base, focusing particularly on the M4 corridor.

While current market conditions remained challenging, Mr Scott said he expected improvement next year.

"I think we will finally see the housing industry bursting into flower again, and we’ll be well placed to serve it," he said.

In the longer term, he added, Scotts would look to establish further facilities.