Diversification into ‘greener’ technologies

A successful West Bromwich company is diversifying to produce the next innovation in sustainable ‘combined heat and power’ systems, which can provide cooling when heat is not required. Weatherite Manufacturing Ltd is expanding its factory on Credenda Road with the support of a £160,000 grant from the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands. This project will safeguard at least 15 highly skilled engineering jobs.

Weatherite’s ‘tri-generation’ technology uses the UK’s first adsorption chiller, which substantially reduces energy use and carbon emissions. The company has sole manufacturing rights to the adsorption chiller in Europe.

Weatherite chairman John Whitehouse, who founded the company almost 40 years ago, said: “Thanks to the support from Advantage West Midlands, we have been able to accelerate our expansion plans and diversify. We are now in a position to take advantage of opportunities stemming from the increasing importance placed on low carbon. The adsorption chiller is a very exciting part of the packaged ‘tri-gen’ plant rooms and can be used in various other applications.”

Richard Clift, grants case officer at Advantage West Midlands, said: “The West Midlands is embracing the opportunities of the low-carbon era, and AWM is committed to investing in industry-led projects that are helping to deliver the country’s first low-carbon regional economic strategy.”

Tony Lear, president of Sandwell Chamber of Commerce, supported Weatherite’s grant bid. He said: “Weatherite’s growth is great news for the local community and for manufacturing in the West Midlands. This is a fantastic example of a firm seizing business opportunities from the growing need for greener and more-sustainable technologies, products and processes.”

The picture shows (left to right) Mr Lear, Mr Clift and Mr Whitehouse.