ONE of the best-known businesses in Ipswich is to move to new premises in the town during the summer, it confirmed today.Compair Reavell is to move away from its home in Ranelagh Road to new premises on the Landmark Business Park, off Whitehouse Road.

ONE of the best-known businesses in Ipswich is to move to new premises in the town during the summer, it confirmed today.

Compair Reavell is to move away from its home in Ranelagh Road to new premises on the Landmark Business Park, off Whitehouse Road.

The news confirms that the company will be able to retain its existing workforce.

Landmark Business Park was created on the site of the former Agilent factory, which closed in 2002.

Compair has been based in Ranelagh Road for more than 100 years - and has been one of the best-known factories in Ipswich.

However, as the Evening Star revealed last June it was announced that the site had been sold to developers Fairview which wants to build homes, shops, offices, and cafés beside the River Orwell.

Compair's managing director Malcolm Blackwell said: "We were keen to remain in Ipswich as we recognise the value of our workforce - it is their skills which have enabled the company to remain a quality UK manufacturer.

"We could have moved to another area where incentives were available, however we are committed to our staff and the Ipswich area.

"Remaining in Ipswich is a real boost for the local economy and we are eagerly looking forward to relocating to the Landmark site.

The company has changed significantly recently - a year ago its foundry closed with the loss of 48 jobs.

However more than 100 people are still employed at Compair working on highly specialist equipment.

Mr Blackwell said: "The business has been on the current site since 1898 and while we highly value our Reavell heritage, we recognise that Compair needs a more modern building to accommodate a 21st century business.

"The old site is no longer suitable and we have therefore made the decision to leave.

"Some of the buildings on the Ranelagh Road site were constructed more than 100 years ago and have evolved with the business over the decades.

"Unfortunately, it is now unable to cope with the demands of the Compair business."

The Landmark Business Park site is 110,000 sq.ft. of which 78,000 sq.ft. is production and warehousing space - an increase of 11,000 sq.ft. in manufacturing facilities.

The Compair site is the Fairview's second major development planned for Ipswich.

The London-based company has just put in a planning application to build nearly 400 homes on the Holden Timber site near the waterfront.