Mid Wales-based Invertek Drives, a manufacturer of electric motor control technology, has announced it is investing £10 million in expansion following significant growth in global sales.

The company is expanding its global variable frequency drive (VFD) manufacturing and distribution centre, along with the development of a new ‘Application Centre’ at its base in Welshpool, creating 85 new jobs over the next 12 months to add to its 280-strong workforce and follows a major recruitment drive over the past year in both its production and R&D departments.

The news follows in the footsteps of a new 5,500m² global manufacturing and distribution facility adjoining its existing site at the Offa’s Dyke Business Park which was built in 2019.

Invertek Drives CEO Shaun Dean said: “We have seen significant growth in sales and turnover over the past 18 months despite the global pandemic. Invertek’s approach to maintaining strategic stock of components has ensured we have been able to continue manufacturing our Optidrive range of VFDs despite the global supply chain problems currently facing many manufacturers.”

“Invertek continues to commit to investing heavily in the innovation, development and manufacturing of VFD technology. The expanded manufacturing facility will allow us to increase production from 350,000 units a year to 600,000.

“This is part of our drive to create the leading next-generation VFD technology that will help to further reduce energy use and associated CO₂ emissions globally. We will add three new production lines each consisting of six ‘Global Assembly Cells’ (GACS) allowing the increase in production.”

The company designs and manufactures VFDs used for the accurate control of electric motors used in many applications and industries globally. These range from conveyors to CNC machines, HVAC and ventilation systems, to water pumping applications.

The VFDs are also major contributors to creating energy savings and reducing associated CO₂ emissions in processes by making electric motors more efficient, cutting energy use by between 30% and 50% in many cases.

Around eight billion electric motors consume nearly 50% of the electricity produced in Europe. Globally, 40% of electricity is used to power industry, with two thirds of this used by electric motors — and yet less than 20% of electric motors are controlled by VFDs.

Welsh Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “The Welsh government has a clear focus on creating a stronger, fairer, greener economic future. We want Wales to be a country that is at the forefront of innovating new technologies that will benefit people in their day-to-day lives.

"So, it is excellent news that that Invertek Drives have seen such growth and that the sale of this property will facilitate the company’s future investment and expansion plans at Offa’s Dyke, helping create 85 new quality jobs.”

The Application Centre will be used to showcase Invertek’s products to potential and existing customers and used for training sales, technical, and servicing personnel. The investment is being driven by Invertek Drives parent company, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd (SHI), and is a further sign of its ongoing commitment to making Invertek a leader in the development and manufacturing of world-class variable frequency drive technology which began in 1998.

Mr Dean added: “The new Application Centre will showcase our products for existing and potential customers, as well as featuring technical and training facilities. This will act as a global hub for our sales and marketing, technical support, and training teams. In turn this supports our extensive network of international sales offices, partners, and representatives.”

Work will begin on the construction of the extended manufacturing facility in early 2022, and the new Application Centre will follow.