A Greater Manchester-based technology manufacturer is relocating its headquarters to help it meet the growing demand for its services and expand its offering to support renewable energy projects.
Simkiss Control Systems, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, designs and builds bespoke electrical control systems for a range of blue-chip customers, including Amazon, Network Rail and Siemens. The company’s technology connects electrical devices, regulating the flow of electricity to ensure that they operate efficiently, making the technology crucial for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Simkiss recently acquired a new 73,000ft
2 premises in Rochdale, more than triple the size of its current Middleton headquarters, with the support of a £3.1 million finance package provided by
Lloyds Bank, to boost its capacity, take on more staff and break into new sectors.
Simkiss is expected to complete the move later this year following a period of sustained growth for the company. In the last three years, it has increased its workforce from 64 to 110 people and is set to become the first company in the UK to provide the same technology for ‘E-Houses’, which allow energy operators to manage large renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar farms.
The plug-and-play systems are delivered to factories fully equipped and ready to operate, saving businesses time and resources. They also take up less space and energy than other control systems, making them a more sustainable alternative. Ultimately, this means that renewable energy projects can be up and running far sooner, helping the UK as it transitions to ‘net zero’.
Sustainability goalsFurthermore, this new capability builds on the company’s existing expertise, which it has used to support strong growth from infrastructure projects in gas distribution, rail, renewable energy and more. Its new location will also help the company to operate more sustainably, with solar panel installation earmarked. Simkiss also partnered with the
Business Growth Hub to enhance the space and workflows in its new design and manufacturing hub, helping make the business as efficient as possible.
Paul Simkiss, Simkiss Control Systems’ managing director, said: “We have been going strong as a business for 25 years now, but we are always looking for more ways to take our company forward. This latest investment, along with the launch of our E-House service and collaboration with the Business Growth Hub, is testament to that and we can’t wait to begin this new chapter in our history.
“When looking for a new location, we wanted somewhere close to our current headquarters, but with enough space to really help us to take our business to the next level. Alongside this, it was also important that our new base aligned with our plans to become a carbon-positive firm, and it was clear that Garry and the team at Lloyds Bank were the ideal partner to support us with this. Our new workspace ticks all these boxes, and we can’t wait to complete our move.”
Garry Birchall, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “The recent growth at Simkiss means that this relocation is the next natural step for the business. It has built a strong reputation working on projects like the Viking Wind Farm in the Shetland Islands, and the fact it is relocating to a much larger space because of growing demand is testament to that.
“This move marks an exciting time for Simkiss as it also looks to expand its offering to become the first business in the UK to provide E-House systems. We look forward to continuing to be by its side as it reaps the benefits of this relocation.”