The firm says the move will extend the its capacity to manufacture model trains, which already boasts a staggering 8,800 product lines.

The Bachmann business was purchased by Kader in 1984 and now has divisions producing model trains for the American, British, Chinese and European markets.

In 1989 Bachmann UK was set up and current managing director, Graham Hubbard was appointed to manage the design and development of their British products from their 5,500 square feet site in Barwell, Leicestershire.

The site has been extended three times to cope with the company’s expansion.

Commenting on the recent acquisition, Hubbard said: "We have been relatively unaffected by the current credit crunch as the business continues to go from strength to strength. The purchase, by Kader, of Sanda Kan will enable us to meet the continued global shift of production by other manufacturers who wish to use both the technology and the highly skilled workforce we can offer. The Bachmann division of Kader now employs over 14,000 worldwide – not bad for a business that started off selling optical glasses."

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