Award Recipients

When Invertek Drives Ltd was established in 1998 in Welshpool, Powys, few could have predicted that this specialist manufacturer would grow to become a global leader in variable frequency drive technology, with exports representing 95 per cent of its total sales.

Today, the company’s remarkable international success has been recognised with The King’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade 2025, acknowledging an impressive 149% growth over six years, despite unprecedented global challenges.

The award is a testament to Invertek’s strategic vision and operational excellence. As part of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd since 2019, the company has doubled in size to 420 employees, while maintaining its commitment to innovation and technical excellence that have defined its journey from a small Welsh enterprise to an international business in energy saving electric motor control technologies.

“This King’s Award demonstrates how Invertek has successfully expanded its global footprint while maintaining the technical excellence and innovation that have always been its hallmarks,” says Shaun Dean, Chairman of Invertek Drives and Executive Vice President of Sumitomo Heavy Industries. “The impressive international growth is a testament to the strategic alignment between Invertek’s capabilities and the increasing global demand for energy efficient solutions.”

Leading the fight against climate change
At the heart of Invertek’s success lies its Optidrive range of variable frequency drives (VFDs), sophisticated devices that control the speed and torque of electric motors across diverse industrial and commercial applications. These products represent far more than engineering excellence: they are instrumental in the global fight against climate change. By enabling precise motor control, Invertek’s VFDs help industries worldwide reduce energy consumption, optimise processes and significantly minimise their environmental impact.

The environmental benefits are substantial. Electric motors consume approximately 45% of global electricity, making motor efficiency crucial for reducing carbon emissions. Through accurate speed control, VFDs can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% in many applications, translating into millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions saved annually across Invertek’s global customer base. From manufacturing facilities to HVAC systems, water treatment plants to renewable energy installations, these drives are quietly revolutionising industrial efficiency.

Adrian Ellam, CEO of Invertek Drives, emphasises the broader significance of this work: “This prestigious recognition validates our international business strategy and commitment to creating innovative, energy efficient solutions for global markets. Our VFDs play a crucial role in helping industries worldwide reduce energy consumption, optimise processes, and minimise environmental impact – all increasingly important as businesses focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.”

A global approach
The company’s international expansion strategy combines a global network of sales partners with strategic wholly-owned subsidiaries in key markets including the USA, Spain, Germany and Poland. This multifaceted approach has enabled effective market penetration whilst maintaining the high standards of customer service and technical support that distinguish Invertek from its competitors.

Demonstrating foresight, Invertek strategically stocked critical components before Brexit and the pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted manufacturing when competitors faced production challenges. This operational resilience enabled the company to fulfil record global orders and strengthen its international presence precisely when market opportunities were greatest.

The company has reinforced its commitment to future growth with a major expansion of its UK production, warehouse, and distribution facility, completed in 2024. This investment increases capacity to meet growing international demand whilst maintaining the engineering excellence that has made Welshpool a global centre for drive technology innovation.

“Our success in international markets stems from our customer-centric, partnership driven approach,” adds Adrian. “By prioritising adaptability, innovation, sustainability and digital engagement, we’ve been able to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace while delivering exceptional value to customers worldwide.”

As businesses worldwide intensify their focus on sustainability and operational efficiency, Invertek Drives stands perfectly positioned to continue its remarkable growth trajectory, transforming industrial efficiency one motor at a time.