Endiprev heads to Sunderland
The global renewable energy business has operations in eight countries, and the Quay West business park will be its first UK base.
Endiprev, which provides commissioning, servicing and troubleshooting support to wind farm operators across the globe, has opened a new regional head office in Sunderland.
Mark Forrest, managing director UK, said: “The decision to invest in the North East was really down to our shareholders based in Portugal. The UK market is one that is experiencing significant growth and opening a subsidiary within the UK aligned with the group strategy.”
The company is currently overseeing a recruitment drive within the North East. It has already established a team of technicians and plans to add 40 full time jobs over the next 12 months, including engineers, office staff and maintenance technicians to work on upcoming UK projects.
Initially, it has signed for 3,300 sq ft of office space on the banks of the Wear. Forrest added: “We’ve recently been awarded a couple of contracts within the UK and specifically the North East, meaning the time had come to establish the UK operation.
“After being shown around multiple areas, they realised there was a real opportunity for the North East to establish itself as a stronghold for renewable energy and they felt it was the right place to set up as Endiprev UK.
“The region is fast-establishing itself as a world leader in renewable energy and the move to Sunderland’s West Quay puts us right at the heart of this growing hub. It’s right on the doorstep of some of the world’s largest offshore wind developments and has a great workforce to tap into. It’s perfect for a business like ours.”
The company is also currently in discussions with Newcastle College’s Energy Academy to take on apprentices.
Endiprev received support from the business investment team at Sunderland City Council. Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of the local authority, said: “We are thrilled that Endiprev has chosen to invest in the city.
“Over recent years, we’ve invested heavily into ensuring Sunderland is best placed to capitalise on the growing green economy and this has already led to businesses from across the globe investing hundreds of millions of pounds here.
“From Wastefront, Quantafuel and Brineflow at the Port of Sunderland to the Envision gigafactory, Sunderland is fast establishing itself as a desirable place for those in the green industries to do business and we are overjoyed to be able to now be able to add Endiprev to that ever-growing list.”