Firm hopes to create 1,000 jobs

The firm hopes to build a new headquarters for 1,000 extra staff

A technology firm says it hopes to create up to 1,000 manufacturing jobs in Worcestershire.

Bosch Thermotechnology already employs 1,150 people at its headquarters in Warndon in Worcester.

It said it needed to build a new headquarters near junction six of the M5 and could create 1,000 jobs by 2012.

Development agency Advantage West Midlands said it was helping the firm to apply for planning permission. The plans go on public display on Friday.

'Orders rising'

Bosch Thermotechnology is a German-owned company specialising in heating and hot water appliances and has 1,800 employees in total.

In 1992 it bought Worcester Heating Systems, which had been based in the city since 1962.

Having been in Worcester for 46 years we want to ensure that we remain in the area Richard Soper Bosch Thermotechnology

Advantage West Midlands said: "This is a world-class company which is beating the credit crunch and has actually seen its orders rising.

"It is our job as a regional development agency to ensure we attract and keep world-class businesses in the area."

The company has applied to Wychavon District Council for outline planning permission to develop new headquarters on 35 hectares (86 acres) of land south-east of the M5.

Richard Soper, UK managing director of Bosch Thermotechnology, said: "Having been in Worcester for 46 years we want to ensure that we remain in the area."

Karen Yeomans, from Advantage West Midlands, said the new headquarters and plans for a wider Worcester technology park "would be invaluable" for attracting more "technology-rich" companies and jobs into the area.