Invertek Drives says the new facility will increase production capacity and create new career opportunities

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A mid-Wales based manufacturer is investing more than £6m in a R&D facility which will increase production capacity and create jobs. Invertek Drives, which manufactures electric motor control technology at its base at Welshpool, Powys, has acquired land next to the company's HQ and manufacturing facility at the Offa's Dyke Business Park for the bespoke £6.3m innovation centre.

The planned centre will provide state-of-the-art research and development facilities for the design of next generation electric motor control VFDs. The extension will allow Invertek to increase production of its Optidrive VFD products from 460,000 units a year to more than 1.2 million. It is also creating new career opportunities at its headquarters where it employs more than 350 people.

The company is currently undertaking a recruitment drive for a range of careers ranging from graduate placements, production, and electrical engineering.

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The centre will support the development of next generation variable frequency drive technology, helping create energy savings and efficiencies in motor control application, supporting reduced emissions and efforts to reduce climate change globally. Architectural design work is underway on the project before a pre-planning application will be made later this year ahead of a full planning application.

Invertek Drives manufactures VFDs that accurately control AC electric motors used in a range of applications including motion control, pumping, HVAC and refrigeration. Most industries around the world use a VFD for a motor or pump control application, from engineering and manufacturing to food production, water industries, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

The VFDs accurately control the speed of motors and pumps, making them more energy efficient. This results in less energy use and reduces associated emissions, supporting the need to reduce climate change globally.

In December 2021 the company announced a further £10million investment at its global headquarters. This includes the creation of 85 new jobs and a new extension to the manufacturing facility which will allow a significant increase in production.

Chief executive Shaun Dean, and senior Vice President of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, said the latest investment would create one of the most modern VFD R&D facilities in the world.

He said: “The new Innovation Centre will be a hub for the design of our next generation technology. Our Optidrive VFD products are recognised worldwide for their effectiveness in efficient motor control, as well as their durability and ease of use.

“This is part of the continuing investment being made locally in Wales by Sumitomo Heavy Industries in Invertek. Work is about to start on an extension to our existing manufacturing facility at the site as part of a £10million investment. This has also included the previously announced creation and completion of a new, state-of-the-art, Application and Training Centre.”

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Glyn Jones, technical director at Invertek Drives, said: “The new Innovation Centre will be a beacon for the research and development of next generation VFD technology.

“Our products not only create efficiencies in motion and pump control systems, but they are also supporting the reduction of harmful CO2 emissions through energy saving technology that is supporting the efforts to reduce climate change globally. We’re committed to creating technology that will continue to support such needs in today’s society and this is another clear commitment to that.”

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