Stockport-based soap manufacturer PZ Cussons has signed up for 40,000 sq ft at the Manchester Business Park near the city's international airport.

Graham Calder, deputy chairman of PZ Cussons, said the company, which makes Imperial Leather among other things, needs more modern buildings, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Manchester Business Park is being developed by Australian property firm Goodman in partnership with Manchester city council and work on site should be completed by the end of the decade.

"Our present building has become unsuitable for our needs and no longer reflects the way in which we will operate as our international group continues to expand," Mr Calder told the paper.

The city council has welcomed the move and said it is a sign that the south Manchester business community is thriving.

Last October, PZ Cussons was named northwest business of the year and champions of best practice at The Manufacturing Institute's 2007 Business Awards.