Food-focused robotics firm PWR relocates to larger site in Bellshill

Automated packaging technology firm PWR has moved to new premises in Bellshill as part of “significant” growth plans, including the expansion of its workforce north of the Border.

PWR serves the bakery, confectionery, snacks, and pet food sectors. Picture: contributed.

The business, founded 25 years ago, designs and manufactures bespoke robotic packaging equipment for the global food industry, focused on the baked goods, confectionery, snacks, and pet food sectors. Its proprietary technology is used worldwide and is described as vastly improving the performance of production lines.

PWR – which stands for Packaging With Robots – has more than 2,000 robots in use worldwide, working with a diverse range of firms to automatically package food products at high speeds with maximum efficiency.

Previously based in smaller premises nearby, PWR this month moved to Grovewood Business Centre, operated by UKSE (the Tata Steel unit set up to assist growing businesses in traditional steel areas) as part of the manufacturer’s expansion plans.

MD Peter Mellon said the relocation is crucial to the firm's ambitions to expand. Picture: contributed.

In recent years, PWR has enjoyed growing demand for its specialist technology. The firm, which currently has 80 staff at its manufacturing facility in the Netherlands, and eight people in Scotland, is scaling up its head office function as it seeks to grow sales.

It aims to boost headcount at its manufacturing facility by a quarter over the next 18 months and recruit a further four employees in Scotland in service, administration and finance roles. The firm also said some food-producers are facing increased demand as people eat more at home on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic.

PWR was founded by a group of engineers who wanted to transform the performance of food businesses with automated packaging.

Automation

MD Peter Mellon said: “As essential workers, we have been continuing to work hard to service our customers throughout the pandemic – but following Covid-19, many want to accelerate their automation plans.

“They are experiencing increased demand from supermarkets, but production needs to take account of social distancing. Our robotic solutions enable them to maintain production levels while also protecting their workforces.

“Moving into bigger premises at Grovewood Business Centre is crucial to our ambitions to expand. We were also extremely impressed by the quality of the workspace available, and we can’t wait to get on with our growth plans.”

Jackie Taylor, property administrator at UKSE, said: “PWR is a brilliant Scottish-owned business, designing and producing bespoke technology that is in demand by food producers all over the world. Helping innovative firms like PWR Pack is what UKSE is all about and we’re proud that Peter and his team have chosen Grovewood as their new UK base.”

Grovewood Business Centre was recently refurbished and offers office and workshop accommodation to small and medium-sized businesses.UKSE offers financial services, from small loans to big investments.

Among the Scottish firms it has invested in recently are biotech specialist Antibody Analytics, Ayrshire double-glazing manufacturer Scotia and Motherwell-based IT business VectorCloud.

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