Drive Medical Ltd has taken more than 70,000 sq ft in Crosskeys in one of the largest industrial lettings in South Wales.

The company, which manufactures and distributes medical equipment for the home healthcare, medical, surgical and rehabilitation markets, has decided to move its entire UK operation to the site at Newtown Industrial Estate, Crosskeys, after last year's acquisition of Tredegar-based competitor Mountway.

Mark Thompson, operations director of Drive Medical, said: “We import equipment from the Far East and had been using third-party warehouse facilities near our West Yorkshire headquarters. But following the Mountway acquisition we decided to lease premises in South Wales for our entire national operation.

“On a tour of available warehouses the Newtown premises immediately caught our eye as being professional, clean and well organised. It is very much up to our standard.”

Acting on behalf of landlord Combesgate, letting agent Knight Frank agreed a six year lease for 71,956 sq ft of Building A at the estate to Drive Medical at £107,934 per annum.

The Drive Medical deal follows the letting earlier this year of 22,065 sq ft of Building B to Winwood Products Ltd on a five year lease.

Steve Atherton, of Winwood Products, said: "We distribute and manufacture wood-based engineered panels, plus finished and semi-finished products. Its location on a secure, clean site, and an approachable landlord, attracted us to the unit at Newtown Industrial Estate, where we hope to have created 12 jobs by the end of next year.”

Neil Francis, associate at Knight Frank, said: “We have achieved lettings totalling almost 100,000 sq ft at Newtown Industrial Estate this year, demonstrating the strengthening demand for modern quality industrial accommodation in South Wales.”

Existing tenant MCI Logistics, one of the largest providers of warehousing in the region and the only one holding both BRC and SQAS accreditations, will continue to occupy the remaining space at the Crosskeys industrial estate. The site has more than 175,000 sq ft of internal storage and 24 loading bays in the two buildings.