Lontra has started producing the revolutionary LP2 Blade Compressor at its new facility in Tyseley. Photo: Lontra

Lontra, a world pioneer in advanced engineering technologies, has started manufacturing its first product, the revolutionary LP2 Blade Compressor at its new assembly line in Tyseley, Birmingham.

The production line officially opened this week and will create 15 new manufacturing roles to assemble the industrial machines, ready for export to the USA. The award-winning firm has USA distribution and sales outlets in place to ensure Lontra has a major market presence in North America. This includes a significant distributor partnership with Industrial Air Centers in Jeffersonville, Indiana, acting as its national distributor partner, and a sales representative agreement with RoCaam Corporation in Denver, Colorado.

RoCaam Corporation will be working closely with Blade Compressor USA LLC, (a division of Industrial Air Centers) to sell Lontra’s products and services to businesses across the country.

Earlier this month, Lontra received UL-1450 certification for the LP2 Blade Compressor machine, a vital step in securing sales in the USA. UL is a globally recognised US electrical safety certification body.

Lontra expects dozens more engineers to join its workforce over the next three years as the expansion highlights demand for the product in the USA and other markets. It is estimated that the global market opportunity is worth approximately $55 billion, with approximately 85,000 one-bar compressor/blower units sold each year in the USA alone.

Pivotal moment
Steve Lindsey, CEO and founder of Lontra, said: “Beginning production of our first machines, for export to the USA, is a pivotal moment in Lontra’s growth trajectory, and a moment of clarity for UK manufacturing and engineering.

“Amidst political posturing over trade deals, UK manufacturers such as ourselves are knuckling down and delivering game-changing products that make financial sense in every market.

“It is fast-growth manufacturing firms such as ours that reflect the sector’s strength-in-depth to thrive post pandemic. Manufacturing and exports create a strong bedrock for the economy, supporting local jobs and highlighting our world-class skills that make us competitive on a global scale.

“Receiving UL certification is validation of the hard work of our entire engineering team and ensures that customers in the USA have the reassurance that our compressors meet stringent national safety legislation.”

Business and Industry Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “As we build back better from the coronavirus pandemic, it is fantastic to see companies like Lontra striding forwards and continuing to innovate, developing products that are in demand both on UK soil and overseas.

“This new production line will play an important role in helping to fortify our economy – creating jobs in the West Midlands, manufacturing products to benefit industries from aerospace to pharmaceutical, and further unleashing our potential for global trade.”

Sales of the LP2 product are forecast to boost the value of Lontra to nearly £600 million by 2024. Following refinements to the original award-winning design, the compressor is now up to 34% more efficient than its leading competitors, offering significant energy savings and improvements in reliability.

Lontra commercial director Euan McCulloch said: “It is a very exciting time for Lontra. Our new assembly facility is now operational, and production has begun on our LP2 blower.

“This is a perfect blend of Lontra providing an innovative and reliable compressed air product and the compressed air marketing expertise and product support of Blade Compressors LLC / Industrial Air Centers and The RoCaam Corp. The partnerships will accelerate Lontra’s global footprint, allowing it to access a $55 billion global market.”