An Epsom company is reinforcing the town's connections with France by forming a business partnership with one of the country's leading manufacturers.

Carfield, in Blenheim Road, has been chosen as the UK technical partner for Geminox, a subsidiary of the Bosch Group Ltd based in France, which specialises in condensing boilers.

Carfield Geminox has a design office, training centre and administration base in its unit in Blenheim House, as well as a stock of boilers and spares.

From these headquarters, Carfield Geminox serves the whole of the UK and Ireland. It also provides technical support to the many English homeowners based in France.

David Whitfield, managing director of Carfield Geminox, said: "I am very proud that one of Europe's leading manufacturers has formed a partnership with us to obtain a share of the UK market."

The partnership between Geminox and Carfield was formed in March 2002 and the first year has been spent obtaining all the UK approvals. The most significant of these is the European Blue Angel standard.

Mr Whitfield said: "This is the highest accolade a boiler manufacturer can have and indicates how environmentally friendly and energy efficient the Carfield Geminox appliances are. No UK manufacturer currently has this accolade."

Carfield Geminox currently employs 18 members of staff, many of whom are from the local community. And as the company's UK market share increases, the company expects to employ more staff to cover the operation.

Mr Whitfield said: "The success of the last year has been based on the vast technical experience of Carfield Geminox staff and intensive product training, both within the UK and at the factory in St Theggone in Brittany."

May 30, 2003 11:00