A COMPANY that plays a leading role in the fight against infection and disease could soon be supplying its products to Wal Mart supermarkets across America.

Prestige Medical has been operating for the past 25 years out of its factory site in Clarendon Road, Roe Lee, Blackburn, and is a world leader in the supply of table-top disinfectant units used to sterilise medical equipment for use in dentists, beauticians and vets.

And the company is now looking to take advantage of opportunities arising in the US which could lead to extra demand for products.

Managing director Ian Starkey said: “We want to double the size of the company in the next three years and I don’t think there are many companies aiming to do that in the current climate.

“We are even in discussions to have the product in beauticians which are based in Wal Marts across America so that is a huge market.”

The company’s main products are autoclaves which use high pressure steam or water to sterlise medical equipment.

The medical implements can be locked into the high pressure chamber which gets rid of any possible bacteria that could be lurking on them.

And such is the worldwide demand for the product that the company is relocating to new premises in Shadsworth, Blackburn, later this year.

The US is a particularly big market as demand for the autoclaves increases as medical professionals become more stringent when it comes to clamping down on infection.

The firm already has its products in 80 countries and the expansion of its Blackburn site could lead to employment opportunities and an increase in the current 60-strong workforce.

Mr Starkey added: “The weakening pound helps us in our export markets and it’s an added competitive advantage that we have.”