Date Created: 12 June 2012
"For Etek, having the right premises with more space means it can recruit more staff to meet its existing customer needs but it also opens up a number of other opportunities such as new customers, new products and new markets. ”
The aerospace ‘cluster’ is growing at Prestwick International Aerospace Park (PIAP) following Etek Europe Ltd’s decision to relocate to the park to expand its business.
Etek, which supplies equipment and services to the European aerospace and electronics industry, has invested £750,000 in new premises at the park which is adjacent to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, 30 miles south-west of Glasgow.
The company has purchased an 11,000 sq ft unit from Scottish Enterprise and South Ayrshire Council who own the park and join Goodrich Corporation, Veracity and Tannlin.
There are now two smaller units (7,255 sq ft) remaining at PIAP which also offers significant greenfield opportunities for other companies by providing prime serviced sites - and its recent designation as one of Scotland's new Enterprise Areas, means that companies can enjoy financial incentives such as reduced rates.
Etek Europe, established in 2007, has a turnover of £2.6 million and employs 24 staff. In five years, the company has grown steadily providing products and services internationally to more than 800 clients across a number of industry sectors, including aerospace, defence, medical and electronics.
Etek Europe’s owner and Managing Director Mike Nelson said: “The investment in this new technology centre will allow Etek Europe to invite our global customers to come and view our equipment in our new demo room.
“We shall also have a training academy where our customers can also be trained to a high level on both equipment and processes. Additional warehousing and office space will also help with our expansion over the next 24 months.”
Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with Etek Europe to deliver its ambitious growth plans and Scottish Development International has supported the company to exhibit overseas, plus help with marketing and graduate placement projects going forward.
Commenting on Etek Europe’s decision to move to the PIAP, Scottish Enterprise’s chairman Crawford Gillies said: “For Etek, having the right premises with more space means it can recruit more staff to meet its existing customer needs but it also opens up a number of other opportunities such as new customers, new products and new markets.
“We need to encourage more companies to see the benefits of investing in the right equipment and infrastructure and the huge knock on effects it can have to their top line.”
Over the last year, Scottish Enterprise has supported ambitious Scottish companies to commit to investing more than £59 million in new infrastructure and capital by providing grant funding of £12.8 million.
Read more about Scotland's strengths in the ADM sector