An ethical toy firm started in a bedroom has now moved into the 35,000 sq ft former Gelert headquarters in Gwynedd as it bids to keep on expanding.
Babi Pur was set up by Peter and Jolene Barton after the birth of their own children back in 2007.
Initially started at their Porthmadog home it later relocated to a site in Penrhyndeudraeth, taking on more units as it grew over the years.
But with the business running out of space and staff located at various sites the couple decided it was time to move - taking on Gelert House in Porthmadog, once the HQ of the outdoor clothes and equipment company.
They made the move in recent weeks and staff numbers and turnover have already started to grow.
Jolene, 42, said: “It is already making a big difference - before we had three warehouse sites and two offices in Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth. We also had shipping containers to hold some of the stock.
“It made things difficult, like holding meetings with our staff and also logistically with different products in the same order at different sites. Expansion had to put on hold because we just didn’t have any space.
“We knew it was time to move and with this site we are all in one place.
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“It has meant we have been able to grow again.
“We are already 30% to 40% up on turnover on the same months last year and turnover is on track to reach £7m.
“We were on 25 staff and had run out of space at the other sites, we had to put a hold on recruitment.
“That has now stopped and by next week we will be up to 32 staff.
“I had said we would aim to increase staff numbers by 15 within 18 months of the move but we think it could be more.”
Talking about how far they had come in just 12 years, she added: “When I started out in the house I never thought I would be in a place like this.
“It is sometimes scary, it is not just us now, there are other people’s livelihoods.
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“That is a huge responsibility but we do love this and bringing jobs here.”
Their growth has been fuelled by increasing demand for ethical products with the company committed to fair trade and organic products for kids.
They say they also pay a living wage to their growing workforce and have a profit share scheme for their staff.
Jolene added: “We have been told we should have a central warehouse in Birmingham but we don’t want to do that.
“It is important that we have full control and bringing jobs to this area means a lot.
“Having control means that we can also behave like a small business when we have to - when we need to respond quickly.
“Any disadvantages of being here are outweighed by the advantages.”