Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

New investment in Caithness battery power

6th March 2014

Photograph of New investment in Caithness battery power

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Chief Executive Alex Paterson has been visiting a Thurso factory where two battery manufacturing firms are powering ahead under new ownership.

HIE has supported the smooth change-over for new investors at AGM Batteries and ABSL Power Solutions, which were previously owned by US-based multinational Enersys Inc.

Denchi House, the HIE custom-built battery factory on Thurso's business park on the outskirts of the town, is home to the two companies, which together employ around 35 staff.

AGM Batteries Ltd is a manufacturer of battery cells – the basic building blocks from which batteries are assembled – specialising in Hi-Tech Lithium Ion battery cells; whilst their neighbour ABSL Power Solutions Ltd is an assembly plant producing the finished product.

AGM Batteries Ltd has now been bought by AMTE Power Ltd, which will continue to trade under its existing name. AMTE is lead by a management team with significant experience in developing new technology, particularly in the battery cell sector, and they have exciting plans to develop niche products particularly for specialised military applications.

Steve Farmer, Chief Operating Officer at AMTE, said: "Battery Cell technology is moving ahead very quickly, and we believe there is a fantastic opportunity to build on the skills of the local workforce and take AGM to a whole new level. The support of HIE has been invaluable in helping us pull our plans together, and we are looking forward to an exciting future for AGM in the years ahead."

Meanwhile, the ABSL battery assembly business has also changed hands, with new owners Denchi Power Ltd taking over at the beginning of February. The new company sees a great opportunity to build on the success of ABSL, particularly in supplying the highly specialised and very demanding requirements of the military sector.

"ABSL has a great reputation with our customers," says Derek Campbell of Denchi Power Ltd. "We will be building on that reputation, and harnessing the unique skills of our workforce here in Thurso to build a world-beating business."

"Maintaining very close working relationships with our customers is the key to success in these markets," explained Derek. "Not only do we aim to deliver the products they need right now; but we will work with our customers to plan ahead for the next generation of power solutions – and develop the products they need when they need them."

HIE has provided a package of financial support to Denchi Power to help them develop the business. As well as their existing range of battery packs, the new company has ambitious plans to develop new products to serve the needs of their customers.

"It was great to discuss the future plans for these two Thurso firms with their ambitious new management teams," said HIE’s Chief Executive Alex Paterson. "It is a great boost to the area to see the confidence that the new investors have in their local workforce, who deliver highly technical specialist products to the most exacting of standards."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower EmissionsThumbnail for article : New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower Emissions
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development.   Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.  
Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For TapestriesThumbnail for article : Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For Tapestries
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.   This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.  
£24.5m To Secure £350m Inward InvestmentThumbnail for article : £24.5m To Secure £350m Inward Investment
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector.   A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.  
Property Demand Study Launched By Highlands and Islands Enterprisie
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024.   Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.  
Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates JobsThumbnail for article : Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates Jobs
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years.   The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.  
Region's Businesses Value Community Links
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth.   This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).  
Support Programme Takes Young Entrepreneurs To The Next Level
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders.   The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.  
Power Boost For Off-grid Island
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE.   The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.  
Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills ProgrammeThumbnail for article : Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills Programme
Region's young workforce to take part in pioneering sustainability skills programme.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Zero Waste Scotland and business transformation enterprise Powering Futures have teamed up to provide the fully-funded places on the Highlands and Islands Powering Futures Challenge 2024.  
New Facility For Renewables Industry Trainees
People working in or entering Scotland's growing renewables industry will soon have access to a new training facility in Inverness.   The £1.22m Renewable Energy Training Centre, being established by Aurora Energy Services Ltd, (AES) will be the first of its kind in the region.