Telford and Wrekin hails its global appeal after attracting new overseas investment
Telford and Wrekin is showing it continues to have significant global appeal after the latest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) figures for 2021-22 were revealed.
The Marches area, covering Telford and Wrekin, Herefordshire and Shropshire, has recorded 20 new FDI project successes in the last year, with Telford winning eight of them.
In addition, Telford has created 81% of new jobs through the projects (840 jobs out of a total of 1,041) and has received a total investment sum of £59,175,000 which accounts for 44% of the total investment in the Marches of £135,149, 034.
The investments include three from North America, four from Europe and one from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Telford and Wrekin is in pole position to attract new foreign investment through the council’s link-up with Harper Adams University and the Department of International Trade and Ni.PARK in Newport which is attracting global agri-tech businesses
Research shows more overseas investors are looking at sites outside of London and the South East and Telford is seen as a prime location in the Midlands region with excellent transport links.
In 2020-21, the Marches area recorded 14 new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project successes in the last year, with Telford winning four out of the 10 single site schemes and securing nearly half of the 220 new jobs created.
It shows that foreign investment is on the increase again despite a difficult two years and the challenges that businesses have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two of the successes include Provisur at Ni.PARK, Newport and Nofence which is based at the Agricultural Engineering Innovation (Agr-EPI) Centre at Harper Adams University.
US-founded business Provisur, which has headquarters in Chicago, is a global food processing manufacturing firm which is delivering the pressing and slicing side of its business operations from Ni.PARK because of its central location and agri-tech links within the food industry.
Norwegian firm Nofence, which secured support through Telford & Wrekin Council’s Enterprise Telford programme, has devised a fenceless grazing system which uses solar-powered GPS collars to train animals to stay in a specific area which is being widely used by businesses in the UK and across Europe.
Aaron Hale, Provisur account manager slicing UK & Ireland, said: “We looked at a number of possibilities for the UK base but the unit at Ni.PARK was shortlisted because of its central location, the excellent units it offers on site and its links with Harper Adams University.
“The company believed that being located in the Midlands in the heart of the UK was the best solution which is why we opted for this base.”
Cllr Lee Carter of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Our ability to attract new investment from overseas in what has been exceptionally difficult economic conditions over the last few years, shows how highly regarded our borough is.
“Our central location, ready-to-go and affordable land and great business support offer have been cited by investors and are the main reasons for our continuing success.
“Telford is well positioned to take advantage of this great opportunity and we can demonstrate our green credentials to FDI investors and a collaborative business community that operates across our key sectors of agri-tech, digital, advanced manufacturing, food and automotive.”
