Invertek to create more than 250 jobs in Wales over five years
The Welsh drives-maker Invertek has announced plans to create at least 250 new jobs over the coming five years at its global headquarters and manufacturing facility at Welshpool, Powys.
The roles will be in innovation, production and other areas of the company’s business as it invests in the design and production of variable-speed drives. Invertek will also expand the development of careers through college and graduate training programmes.
The announcement comes after the company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, revealed a 45% year-on-year sales growth during 2022, with a turnover of £76.3m.
The company has increased its workforce significantly in recent years, and currently employs 380 people at its UK base.
“We’re already in the process of building a 2,750m2 extension to our existing 5,500m2 manufacturing and distribution facility which will allow us to increase production capacity to more than 1.2 million units annually,” says Adrian Ellam, who was appointed CEO of Invertek Drives earlier this year. “This will come on stream in early 2024.
“As a result of this, we’ll be creating a range of roles in the areas of production, distribution, and manufacturing engineering to support this.
“In addition, we will are planning to significantly expand our Innovation and Research and Development teams to create next-generation electric motor control technology,” he adds. “This includes a new Innovation and HQ Centre at our UK base. This is planned to be completed in early 2025.”
Shaun Dean, chairman of Invertek Drives chairman and senior vice-president of its parent, Sumitomo Drive Technologies (SHI), says the investment demonstrates SHI’s commitment to Invertek and this “green energy” segment of the group.
“Since Invertek was acquired in 2019, SHI has invested more than £30m into the business at Welshpool,” he adds. “We have an amazing team and facility that is a world-leader in the development and manufacturing of variable-frequency drive technology. We anticipate significant growth in this area, and this supports SHI’s global commitment to solving environmental and social solutions through its products and services.”
In June, Invertek celebrated its 25th anniversary with the official opening of its new Global Application and Training Centre. The company, which exports 95% of its production, has sales and service partners in more than 80 countries.
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