It is a case of shocks away for a Witney-based shock absorber manufacturer whose export success has sparked a move to major new premises.

Nitron Racing Systems will move to new premises in the town that are four times the size of its current unit thanks to booming sales abroad, particularly in Japan.

Managing director Guy Evans said: "Our current unit is now too small for the eight of us working here.

"Moving to new premises will allow us to employ more staff in the design room and in the assembly room, which is necessary as we launch a new range of products for 2008."

Two years ago, Nitron, which makes high performance shock absorbers for cars and motorcycles, was a respected company in motor racing circles, reliant mainly on UK sales with a modest export market.

But its fortunes changed when Mr Evans contacted the local Business Link hoping for some advice on how to develop the firm.

He was told about a trade mission to Japan organised by Government body UK Trade and Investment and it proved a major breakthrough thanks to Witney-based adviser Neil Crump.

Mr Evans added: "I wanted to sell to Japan because of the size of the motorsport market there.

"Now, two years later, our product has the same amount of exposure as the market leader."

Nitron has now opened an assembly plant in Japan to deliver direct to local dealers.

Mr Evans added: "The Japanese are obsessed with quality and they have a lot of respect for British motorsport."

As a result, turnover has soared from £450,000 in 2005 to £700,0000 currently.

Mr Crump said: "Japan offers huge potential, especially in motorsport, for which it is the world's second-largest market.

"With Nitron, it was a matter of noting in the diary when Guy Evans needed to be in the market and then the company's enthusiasm and quality product took over."

Mr Evans added that he hopes to start a recruitment drive soon with the move from Range Road to the Station Lane industrial estate which will take place at the end of November.