Covering an area of 3.5 acres, the new site received planning approval this week. It will greatly increase Feritech‘s manufacturing capabilities and the services offered to both local customers and the company’s established global client base.
Founded in 2012, Feritech designs and builds subsea engineering solutions primarily for the marine geotechnical sector. All their products are designed, manufactured and tested at their own facilities. Over 90% of the company’s products and services are exported, with clients in more than 40 different countries.
Co-founder and Managing Director, Rob Ferris, explains: “This new facility is a major step forward for our business. The development of Floating Offshore Wind is a fast growing regional and global opportunity and we are ramping up our capacity, partly so we can help accelerate development of this vital new industry. The new facility will be capable of handling up to 20 ton fabrications and is complemented with a new machining hall which can produce all manner of precision machined parts. Feritech’s design, electrical, electronic and hydraulic capabilities will also be expanded in line with the increased subcontract projects that we expect to fulfil.
“Research and development within the offshore renewable energy sector will always be a primary operation of the company and this facility will allow Feritech to undertake new challenges within this sector, providing solutions for customers quickly, while also tightly controlling the quality of the process from start to finish and all under one roof.”
Steve Jermy, CEO of Wave Hub Ltd, which is leading the South West Floating Offshore Wind Accelerator Project, says: “The South West of the UK is set to become a world leader in floating offshore wind (FLOW). This exciting new development by Feritech exemplifies how innovative and forward looking businesses are rising to the challenge and will help to fast track the region's capacity to build out large scale wind farms in the Celtic Sea from 2025 onwards.”
Rob Ferris adds: “The new building has also been designed to prove that our industry can work in harmony with the environment. The facility will harvest its own water, use ground source to heat the offices, and a solar roof with power storage to generate its own electricity. The site will have over 5,000 trees planted and use a pond to capture all the surface run off from the site. This will act as a heat store and provide vital new habitats for wildlife.”
Matt Hodson, Marine Hub Operations Director for Cornwall Development Company says: “Ever since the company was founded, Feritech has been a leader, not a follower. They continually challenge themselves to develop world leading products that break the mould. This is another great example of a Cornish marine technology company that has rapidly become a global leader in its field. Companies like Feritech will be vital to our economic future, as we seek to recover from the impact of Covid while also grasping vital new growth opportunities, such as the massive potential that exists for Floating Offshore Wind power in the Celtic Sea.”
