Exports drive expansion at North West cleantech firm

ENER-G said the expansion plans would double the amount of space at the company’s Salford headquarters, which already staffs about 300. At least 25 of the company’s UK workers will move into new office space. Because it will have more space to expand, the company said it would be able to recruit more workers and manufacture more products.

Latest growth figures released this week show the UK economy shrunk by 0.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2010, but growth in manufacturing was up by over three per cent, mainly driven by strong exports.

"The growing global demand for our innovative products and services is stimulating strong growth – reflected both in our rising turnover and the need to expand our headquarters," said Tim Scott, ENER-G chairman. "The sectors in which we operate offer solid potential for future growth, supported by UK and international government policies for sustainable energy."

About 47 per cent of the output ENER-G generates is sold internationally in countries including Italy and South Africa. About half of the new 100 jobs will be in the UK, with at least 25 in Salford. The other 50 or so jobs will be abroad.

Minister of Climate Change, Greg Barker is visiting ENER-G's headquarters today as part of a trip to Salford. He said: "These are still challenging times for the whole economy, but as the recovery really starts to grow, Salford is fast becoming a green beacon of the North West by capitalising on a move to a low carbon economy.

Barker will today also officially launch the Salford University Energy House project. The energy house was designed to create and test different products to see which ones are the most energy efficient and the most economical.