Pictured above: Keith Williams (front) of UK Steel Enterprise with, left to right, Chris Buckley (Aerotherm group MD), Paul Berks (Aerotherm Engineering MD) , Mike Cole (Michelin Development) and Dave Taylor  (Aerotherm Industrial MD)

Stoke-on-Trent based Aerotherm Group has relocated to larger factory and office premises with financial support from Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and Michelin Development.

With new orders already secured and a major contract in the offing, chairman & financial director Derek Fulluck is convinced that blue chip customers are impressed by their new surroundings and hi-tech planning and control systems, as well as their recognised industrial and project management expertise.

Group subsidiary Aerotherm Industrial, now based at the Scotia Road Business Park in Tunstall, was started in 2008 with the management buy-out of a leading producer of high quality industrial ovens, product finishing systems, and dust and fume extraction systems all supplied to a wide range of demanding industries - from ceramics and composites to aerospace and defence. The management team is led by group managing director Chris Buckley, has now taken the Group to a new level.

Aerotherm Industrial, led by director David Taylor, is expanding, undertaking larger and more sophisticated solutions. The Group is also moving into green markets with their new company Aerotherm Environmental.  It was formed to provide focus on a wide range of energy efficiency and carbon reduction solutions.

Part of the loan finance provided by UK Steel Enterprise and Michelin Development is being invested in expansion of this part of the Group's business. Both companies are supported with manufacturing, test and installation capabilities in Aerotherm Engineering Limited, a dedicated in-house production facility under the guidance of managing director, Paul Berks. 

"In many ways, Aerotherm Environmental is a natural progression from our Industrial side" commented Chris Buckley. "The major companies we deal with in the aerospace, defence, automotive, electronics, chemicals and food industries use high calibre, sophisticated manufacturing processes, which use high volumes of energy and benefit hugely from the advice and significant financial savings offered by our Environmental team."

With Aerotherm focussed on developing and growing the three Group companies, the UK Steel Enterprise and Michelin funding will help to create new jobs, doubling staff levels over the next two years.

At UK Steel Enterprise, regional manager Keith Williams said, "After being introduced to Aerotherm by David Wellings of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce I was very impressed with what the company has achieved and with their plans for the future.

"Aerotherm Industrial provides custom designed process systems for many major companies in a diverse array of industries. Their expertise in all forms of thermal management also enables them to quickly identify where energy savings can be made, with a rapid pay-back on investment for customers. Aerotherm Environmental has been established to focus on providing this service to customers seeking to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency.

"At UK Steel Enterprise we can invest up to £750,000 in growing companies, providing both loan and equity based finance, and we are actively looking for other local businesses like Aerotherm to support."  

Mike Cole of Michelin Development added, "This company has made immense progress made in the short time since the financial injection. Supporting progressive companies like Aerotherm, who then go on to create quality sustainable employment in the local area, is what it is all about for us at , Michelin Development."