A MONMOUTHSHIRE manufacturer of food colourings and dyes is planning to nearly double its workforce two years after its move to a bigger unit.

ROHA and Simpsons UK Ltd, which currently employs 31 people, hopes to create ten new jobs in 2012, with 15 more in the pipeline next year.

The company, part of the ROHA group which is one of the leading manufacturers of dyes for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, has secured a deal to rent a 25,000 sq ft industrial unit on Beacon Business Park, Portskewett.

The new premises will enable the company to increase production, together with laboratories for its research and development.

The company's local branch, in operation since 1999, was housed in a 10,000 sq ft unit at the nearby Severn Bridge Industrial Estate.

General manager Vika Modi said the company and its staff are happy to move into the new premises on a 15-year lease.

He said it was custom designed and fitted out to an exact specification by the landlord Beacon Estates.

"We're delighted to be moving into the new unit. It was important for us to remain in the area to retain our skilled workforce and continue to benefit from the excellent accessibility to the rest of the UK and Europe," he added.

The Caldicot branch is one of 18 worldwide and the company as a whole has an turnover of around $220m.