A Welshpool-based firm has said it plans to hire an extra 250 people as it expands its facilities.

Invertek Drives Ltd has said it anticipates the extra jobs to be created over the next five years at its global headquarters and manufacturing facility in the town.

The company has already increased employment significantly in recent years but the 250 new roles will be a large expansion on the 380 people currently employed at its UK base.

The company creates variable frequency drives, which are used globally to control electric motors used in most industries and sectors – including refrigeration, HVAC, material handling, ventilation, and motion control.

The company, exports 95 per cent of its products, and has sales and service partners in more than 80 countries throughout the world.

Adrian Ellam, CEO of Invertek Drives Ltd, said: “We’re already in the process of building a 2,750sq metre extension to our existing 5,500sq metre manufacturing and distribution facility which will allow us to increase production capacity to more than 1.2 million units annually. This will come on stream in early 2024.

“As a result of this, we’ll be creating a range of roles in the areas of production, distribution, and manufacturing engineering to support this.

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“In addition, we are planning to significantly expand our Innovation and Research and Development teams to create next-generation electric motor control technology. This includes a new Innovation and HQ Centre at our UK base. This is planned to be completed in early 2025.”

The roles will be in its innovation team, production, and other business areas of the company as it “continues to invest in the design and production of its energy-saving variable frequency drives used to control electric motors”.

The company has also said it will also “significantly expand” the development of careers through its college and graduate training programmes.

It comes after the company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, revealed 45 per cent year-on-year sales growth in 2022, with a turnover total of £76.3 million.

A planning application for the centre is in the process of final preparations before submission.

Shaun Dean, chairman of Invertek Drives Ltd and senior vice president of its parent company, Sumitomo Drive Technologies, Ltd (SHI), said the investment demonstrated the ongoing commitment of SHI to Invertek and this “green energy” segment of the Group.

He said: “Since Invertek was acquired in 2019 SHI has invested more than £30 million into the business at Welshpool. We have an amazing team and facility that is a world-leader in the development and manufacturing of variable frequency drive technology, here in the UK.”

“The demand for global energy reduction highlights the importance of variable frequency drives in accurately controlling electric motors for optimal efficiency.”

“It’s an exciting time at Invertek Drives and we’re proud to be creating good quality, long-term employment and Global career opportunities at our Welshpool HQ where we have a committed team.”