Dundee greentech merger to lead to 20 skilled jobs

A business that grew from the management buyout of the Dundee division of Ferranti plans to create 20 skilled jobs after a milestone merger deal.

Genista Energy will be the trading company in the new joint venture, with founder Graham Hall, left, as managing director. Albacom chief executive Jim Davidson, right, will join the board of Genista as a non-executive director.

Albacom said it was looking to add to its headcount after sealing a six-figure agreement with energy storage specialist Genista Energy.

The deal is part of the former’s diversification strategy and will see the engineering and design manufacturing firm expand into green technology with a focus on the renewable energy sector and areas such as agriculture, oil and gas, and marine.

Albacom, which grew from the 1990 MBO of the Dundee division of Ferranti, specialises in electrical components for the global defence and aviation industry and will manufacture Genista systems for UK and international customers. Albacom’s facilities include a 14,000-square foot office and factory space in Dundee.

Genista Energy will be the trading company in the new joint venture, with founder Graham Hall as managing director. Albacom chief executive Jim Davidson will join the board of Genista as a non-executive director.

Davidson said: “Albacom is known for design and manufacture of low volume, high-end products and we will apply the same high standards required by our defence sector clients to the manufacture of Genista energy storage systems.

“The merger with Genista strengthens and builds on our existing capabilities and together we are well-positioned for sustainable growth, providing engineering and storage solutions across land, air and water.”

Hall said: “With our technology and Albacom’s engineering design and manufacturing expertise, we will unlock the full potential of local renewable energy generation.

“The merger accelerates our aim to create value in a rapidly changing market and to enable our customers’ transition to smart and renewable energy systems that will benefit the environment and have benefits in the ‘green circular economy’.

“We anticipate demand for our battery storage for electric vehicle charging where it will be possible to store energy generated during daylight hours from PV on car ports to charge fleet vehicles overnight, cutting costs and carbon.

“Retail parks are using similar technology to provide power for charging EV while their customers shop. In industry, battery systems can offset peak usage tariffs and prevent production losses by providing continuity of supply.”

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