Coventry-based Envisage Group — consisting of five companies undertaking design, engineering, and niche manufacturing — has opened offices in the USA and India in the last 12 months and is now exploring the possibility of opening a third office in China.

The growth in manufacturers basing production overseas, combined with Government-backed investment in electric vehicles, has prompted the decision to look at this further expansion. The group is being advised by Birmingham-based accountancy firm Moore Stephens, which has 626 offices in 108 countries.

Bryan Campbell, chairman and founder of Envisage, said: “We have enjoyed a successful year, with business growing in the automotive, rail and marine industries.

“We work with manufacturers of all sizes — from niche high-end automotive firms through to the biggest names in the sector — and the sector is doing very well.

“With China looking to cap its carbon emissions by 2030, as well as becoming the world’s largest market for electric cars, there is high demand for the design and engineering skills that we have in abundance.

“A year ago, we bought Concept Group International, which produces show cars for motor manufacturers globally, and that move has been a success, so we feel the time is right to push ahead with the next expansion — and that means looking east.”