Cornwall will soon be home to the new floating offshore wind sector, aerospace is taking-off with development of Spaceport Cornwall near Newquay, along with development of a satellite technology cluster, discoveries of high-grade lithium have been made and other high-tech sectors are growing.
The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly LEP has highlighted advanced manufacturing as one of their priority sectors for economic growth, while Cornwall Council has also reported it is seeing rising demand for facilities.
Feritech itself, is predominantly known as a major player in marine technology and now operates at a 4,000 square foot site but will move to a new 3-acre facility in Falmouth, spread over 19,000 sq. ft, giving it much wider capabilities, allowing it to diversify into new markets.
Established in 2012 by husband-and-wife team, Robert and Gemma Ferris, the firm believes the investment can act as a catalyst for growth in Cornwall to establish itself as a regional centre for advanced manufacturing and is looking to triple its workforce from 20 to 60 over the next 18 months.
DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING HUB
The new facility will offer everything from fabrication and machining to electronics and embedded software development and be the largest of its kind in the South West and one of the biggest in the UK, with design and manufacturing services provided on one site.
Feritech provides marine engineering services to a range of sectors, including oil and gas, renewables, survey, research and academia, military, cables, downhole and high temperature, dredging operations, pipelines, ports and harbours, but is looking to gain work in the floating offshore wind, aerospace and telecommunication sectors.
Managing director Robert Ferris says it will cater for any sector and the firm wants to work in collaboration with tech businesses in Cornwall, helping turn their innovative, market-leading ideas into reality.
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