Invertek Drives Ltd, a UK-based subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, has been awarded The King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2025, recognising exceptional growth in overseas sales.
The award recognises Invertek's outstanding 149% growth in overseas sales over a six-year period, particularly impressive given the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and widespread supply chain disruptions in the electronics sector.
Shaun Dean, Chairman of Invertek Drives, Executive Vice President of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and Managing Director of SHI (Europe), said: "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. The impressive international growth is a testament to the strategic alignment between Invertek's capabilities and the increasing global demand for energy efficient solutions."
Since joining the Sumitomo Heavy Industries family in 2019, Invertek has continued to strengthen the group's collective position in key markets worldwide. Their expertise in variable frequency drive (VFD) technology has proven to be a valuable addition to SHI's portfolio, enhancing our ability to deliver comprehensive energy-efficient solutions across diverse industries.
Invertek's success is reflected in their export figures, with international sales now representing an impressive 95% of their total business. This global expansion has been supported by a thoughtful strategy combining a worldwide network of sales partners with strategic wholly-owned subsidiaries in key markets including the USA, Spain, Germany, and Poland.
Adrian Ellam, CEO of Invertek Drives, commented: "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."
The award comes at an exciting time for Invertek, following the completion of a major expansion of their UK production, warehouse, and distribution facility in 2024. This significant investment has increased capacity to meet the growing international demand for their renowned Optidrive range of VFDs, which are utilised across manufacturing, HVAC, water treatment, and renewable energy applications.
About Invertek Drives Ltd
Invertek Drives Ltd designs and manufactures variable frequency drives (VFDs) that control the speed and torque of electric motors, optimising energy consumption and enhancing performance across various industrial and commercial applications. Established in 1998 and headquartered in Welshpool, UK, the company was acquired by Sumitomo Heavy Industries in 2019. Their Optidrive range of VFDs is renowned for its advanced technology, reliability, and ease of use, supporting diverse sectors including manufacturing, HVAC, water treatment, and renewable energy.