Process Engineering Company Secures £1million Investment

Phil Black - PII Editor 07/01/2014

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Process technology and engineering expert Stopford Projects Ltd has secured a £1million investment to help drive forward its expansion plans.

The industry-leading process technology, engineering and environment consultancy has bases in Ellesmere Port and at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre.

It will use the breakthrough investment from The North West Fund to develop its business strategy in both the UK and overseas markets.

Over the last 32 years, Stopford has grown a multi-national client base including major corporates, such as Shell, BP, Unilever, BASF and Tata, alongside other leading players like BAE Systems, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and URENCO.

The company works on a broad range of R&D, process technology, multi-disciplinary engineering and knowledge transfer projects across the process, energy and environment sectors globally.

Stopford is just about to sign a ground-breaking joint venture deal in Abu Dhabi to create a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence in the United Arab Emirates.

Part of the investment will be used to support this new initiative, which will offer leading services across a range of green technology, training and multi-disciplinary consultancy sectors to organisations across the Middle East and North Africa.

The company will also use part of the investment to support new projects and initiatives in China centred on delivering technology-driven solutions across the energy from waste, commodity recovery and remediation sectors.

Stopford Asia Pacific, a Hong Kong-based subsidiary, will be the vehicle for project development in China and also the company through which Stopford’s UK consulting and training solutions will be delivered into the region.

Stopford’s newly-developed Innovation Centre, in Ellesmere Port, will serve as a UK hub to facilitate global business activity through the provision of bespoke training and technology demonstration to overseas delegations.

The finance has been awarded to Stopford by The North West Fund for Energy and Environmental projects, which is managed by 350 Investment Partners.

The North West Fund provides funding to support growth, ranging from £50,000 to £2million, for businesses based in or relocating to the region to start, develop or expand.

It has already supported more than 200 businesses across Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, with over £60million of investment to date.

It marks a major turning point in the development of Stopford’s strategy for global growth.

The consultancy has earned a reputation for delivering industry-leading, knowledge-driven technical solutions throughout the lifecycle of projects, spanning front-end feasibility and technology, as well as due diligence, right through to multi-disciplinary engineering and process commissioning.

Stopford managing director Prith Rajendran said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce the £1million investment by the North West Fund to enable us to expand our business internationally.

“It will allow us to further develop our projects in the Middle East and China, as well as supporting our cutting-edge development R&D activities across the process, energy and environmental sectors.

“It is a major breakthrough for our business and enables us to expand further and faster in parts of the world we see as vastly important to our future development.

“Our focus remains to accelerate growth and the delivery of best practice across all the sectors we operate in.”

Michael Bakewell, investment director at 350 IP said: “This is a fantastic new investment for us and we are excited to be joining Stopford at such a pivotal time in the growth of the business. As a multidisciplinary consultancy, it is leading the sector in terms of environmental innovation and excellence.

The North West Fund for Energy & Environmental is financed jointly by the European Investment Bank and the European Regional Development Fund and managed by 350 Investment Partners.

350 Investment Partners LLP is one of Europe”s leading co-investors in clean technology companies. In addition to managing The North West Fund for Energy & Environmental, it also advises the Carbon Trust on its venture capital activities.

The funding will enable Stopford to accelerate its expansion internationally with its focus on the process technology,Stopford offers cutting edge expertise and services throughout major energy and environmental projects, spanning fuel storage and distribution to advanced waste to energy schemes.

This ranges from R&D, process optimisation, technical/commercial due diligence, environmental and regulatorycompliance to front-end engineering design, multi-disciplinary engineering, owners’ engineer and process safety.

From its headquarters in the North West of England, Stopford has an extensive portfolio of clients spanning public sector organisations and blue chip multi-nationals.

It offers a full range of complementary services delivering R&D, process technology, multi-disciplinary consulting and training expertise.

Prith Rajendran added: “We believe that by adopting environmental best practice in all of the projects we undertake we can ensure a sustainable future, both commercially and environmentally.

“Our services are not only driven by environmental best practice; we also offer a flexible approach to project delivery tailored to meet clients’ specific business needs.

“Additionally, the multi-sectorial experience of our consultants allows for the cross-fertilisation of novel solutions throughout the industries that we serve.”