E-cigarette firm Vaporized has unveiled plans to invest £2 million in a manufacturing facility at its base in Edinburgh in a bid to meet growing demand for its products.
The company said the move will create about 20 specialist jobs including posts for chemists, flavour mixologists and a full production team.
It said it is part of a growth plan to treble its store footprint to 300 over the next three years and doubling staff numbers to 1000.
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The firm said it is also now developing and manufacturing products on behalf of US brands including Arc Distro, Bad Drip and Charlies Chalk Dust.
The new manufacturing operation is being delivered from its headquarters at Terston House.
Doug Mutter, director at Vaporized, declared: "Making this infrastructure investment will ensure we are able to respond to the demands of our customers as we forge ahead with ambitious growth plans."
He added: "We have invested heavily in growing our product development expertise, from chemists to flavouring mixologists.
"Having this collaborative capability ensures that we are able to respond to consumer demand and bring our customers the most comprehensive range of quality-approved products.
"It has also given us the opportunity and ability to develop product development partnerships with major US brands looking to expand their operations in Europe.
"Increasing numbers of smokers are recognising the evidence-based public health opportunity of vaping, and we see this as a real area of growth as international brands respond to growing consumer demand."
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Mr Mutter also said: "Investing in our manufacturing and product development expertise gives us a real competitive advantage and the ability to bring our customers the most comprehensive range of quality-approved products.
"By strengthening our end-to-end operational structure and maintaining a commitment to consumer education, we can forge ahead with confidence and truly cement our position as the UK’s leading vaping specialist."
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