THE finance controller of Matrix International has moved to dismiss rumours that the firm has decided to move from Brechin to Arbroath.
However, the company is considering its options for the future, with the current five year lease on its East Mill Road site set to expire in February 2011.
Finance controller Iain McGrory told the "Brechiner" that the company was simply making su
re it was in possession of all the facts before deciding whether or not to commit to a new five year deal.
He said: "There's no truth in saying that we're moving to Arbroath. It is the case that our lease will be up for renewal in about eight or nine months time and we are currently looking at all the various options - that includes staying here.
"We've been quoted a rate from Kelman Engineering (who own the current premises] and we're looking at the market to see if that is the most competitive rate and what the other options are.
"We are not at the stage of commitment."
Mr McGrory said such a move simply represents good business practice, but he emphasised the company's desire to remain in Brechin.
He said: "It would be silly if we were to just accept the rent that we've been quoted for here without looking at the other options.
"That's not to say that we will move from here, but it depends on factors such as the rent, the costs of moving and the suitability of the premises for Matrix.
"We have no desire to move out of Brechin if we can secure premises. Whether that be here or elsewhere in Brechin, that would be ideal.
"However, we won't just sit here and decide to have another five year lease without seeing the options."
In addition to considering whether or not to move, the firm are also looking at the possibility of rearranging their current home in East Mill Road so the entire operation is based in the newer of the two buildings it currently occupies.
It has been a difficult year for the firm, which designs and provides clutches and brakes to be used in appliances such as forklift trucks, servo motor brakes and printers.
However, recent months have seen an improvement in trading conditions and Mr McGrory is hoping 2010 is a better year for Matrix International.
He said: "It has been a very difficult year with the recession but we've come through the worst of it and we're seeing a little bit of an uplift.
"Our expectation is that next year we will see more improvement and we are obviously trying to grow the business.
The current marketplace is still slow, but we're just taking every day as it comes."
