I’Anson Brothers, an animal feed manufacturer, has purchased a 13-acre site in North Yorkshire for its new production facility. The company will shortly begin the construction of a 23,000 sq ft feed mill and new site service road at the Dalton New Bridge (DNB) commercial and industrial development.

The new mill, which received planning permission from Hambleton District Council last year, represents the largest investment in I’Anson’s history.

The animal feed manufacturer’s headquarters will remain in Masham, where it will continue to produce a range of micronized feeds, specialty rations and horse feeds. The new facility at Dalton will focus on the production of bulk farm feeds and create up to 20 new jobs in addition to the 90 strong existing workforce.

Managing director Chris I’Anson, great grandson of Christopher I’Anson who founded the company in 1900. said: “This is very significant investment for our company and is the major part of our strategy to secure 50-year further growth for the longer term sustainability of our business and the future generations of our employees, customers and family.

“We explored a number of sites before making our decision but Dalton New Bridge won hands-down with its combination of location, proximity to the motorway network and the existence nearby of other world-class manufacturing businesses.”

The deal is the first major sale at the new 66-acre Dalton New Bridge, which is located within the region’s A1/A19 Strategic Growth Corridor.

Lindsay Ross, spokesman for DNB, said: “This deal is a resounding endorsement of the quality of our development site at Dalton New Bridge. These are challenging times for the property market, but I’Anson’s commitment to our site is a timely reminder that deals are still being done and business is not idly sitting by.”

Mike Dove, partner with Leeds-based property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips (DHP), which is marketing Dalton New Bridge, added: “This is one of the premier new development sites in Yorkshire. It has tremendous potential, with immediate access to the national motorway network, recently improved by multimillion-pound highway upgrades. A proven location has just got even better.”