Former apprentice to lead North American expansion for Bolton firm

Cory Clarke, who joined Bolton clean air specialist Howorth Air Technology as an apprentice, will establish its new US office as part of its expansion into North America.

The operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, will provide a range of services, in particular to the growing pharmaceutical sector.

These will include service support, spare parts and training as well as modifications, conversions and upgrades to clients’ existing Howorth containment equipment.

Cory Clarke is Howorth’s new US technical and facilities manager. He joined Howorth as an electrical apprentice in 2007 and has since gained a degree in business management while working across multiple areas of the group’s medical and pharma operations.

Dave Howes, chief executive of the group’s US arm, Howorth Air Technology Inc, said: “Cory’s exceptional experience and knowledge, combined with his strong leadership abilities, will prove invaluable in the day-to-day management of the new Charlotte hub.

“We are confident that he will successfully lead our operations in North Carolina and provide exceptional service to our clients to help drive further growth across North America.

“His appointment to head this exciting new venture underlines the success of our apprenticeships programme, to which we are fully committed and of which we are incredibly proud. It is a true demonstration that Howorth is a global company which offers opportunities beyond our facilities in Bolton.”

Howorth is a £20m+ turnover business employing 130 staff. It designs, manufactures and assembles ultra clean air equipment for use in operating theatres, and for the pharma, biotechnology and life science industries.

It supplies the pharma industry with containment equipment such as isolators, downflow booths and a multi-connection system to create a pure air working environment for the safe handling of active ingredients and formulations in an enclosed space, free of contaminants.

Dave Howes added: “As a supplier of high containment solutions to the pharmaceuticals industry, North America is a major part of our business activity and we have secured a number of key customers throughout the territory.

“This expansion represents a significant milestone for Howorth and demonstrates our commitment to meeting the growing demand for our equipment and services across North America.

“It gives us the ability to serve a wider client base. Establishing a presence in North Carolina will help us to increase our market share and fuel further growth for the business overall.”

He said: “North Carolina is an attractive location and was chosen after an extensive selection process, which took into consideration the need to identify somewhere close to a major airport with quick and convenient access to all of North America, as well as where there is already an impressive base of pharma operations, a healthy supply chain and a wealth of talent from which to recruit.

“Being on the east coast also maximises the overlap in working hours with our UK parent.”

He said Howorth may look to repeat its service hub model elsewhere in the future. Headed by group managing director, Jim Liptrot, the business also exports to territories including Europe and the Far East. The group was recently ranked in the E2E International 100 as one of the UK’s fastest growing export companies.