A Welshpool-based hi-tech manufacturing firm is to create 85 new jobs over the next 12 months as part of a £10 million investment following a surge in sales during the coronavirus pandemic.

Invertek Drives is expanding its global variable frequency drive (VFD) manufacturing and distribution centre in early 2022 to increase production from 350,000 units a year to 600,000, along with the development of a new Application Centre.

This comes just three years after it opened its 5,500sq metre global manufacturing and distribution facility adjoining its existing site at the Offa’s Dyke Business Park on the outskirts of the Welsh border town.

Shaun Dean, CEO of Invertek Drives, said: “We’ve 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’ve been able to continue manufacturing our Optidrive range of VFDs despite the global supply chain problems currently facing many manufacturers."

Invertek Drives said it will add three new production lines each consisting of six Global Assembly Cells (GACS) allowing the increase in production.

The extension to the existing 5,500sq metre manufacturing facility comes just three years after it was completed. The company will also purchase the building from the Welsh Government which undertook the initial construction and leased it back.

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’s at the forefront of innovating new technologies that will benefit people in their day-to-day lives.

"So, it’s excellent news that that Invertek Drives have seen such growth and that the sale of this property will facilitate Invertek’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.

Investment will also be made in its expanding Innovation and Research and Development facilities. A dedicated motor room, and test and validation centre have already been completed over the previous two years.

Invertek Drives was launched in Welshpool in 1998 and has grown year-on-year ever since. Its international headquarters, R&D and manufacturing facility are located at the Offa’s Dyke Business Park where it employs more than 260 people.

The company designs and manufacturers 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 per cent and 50 per cent in many cases.

They control the speed of motors, pumps and fans, ensuring they operate at optimum speeds.

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

The investment is being driven by Invertek Drives parent company, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd (SHI), and is a further sign of its commitment to making Invertek a leader in the development and manufacturing of world-class variable frequency drive technology since 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.

“In 2022 we will see further investment globally in our sales network. We have already witnessed the rapid growth of Invertek Drives USA with an expanding HQ near Chicago. We are also investing further throughout the EMEIA region where there continues to be significant growth and opportunities.”

Globally, the company employs more than 280 and has sales and services partners in more than 80 countries.