Welsh manufacturer Invertek Drives has reached a major landmark with the recent production of its two millionth variable frequency drive (VFD).
“We’ve reached a significant milestone in our history,” said Shaun Dean, CEO of Invertek Drives and Senior Vice President of Sumitomo Heavy Industries. “Nearly two million Optidrives are now operating around the world.”
Part of Invertek’s Optidrive range is the Optidrive Coolvert, launched in August 2020, which is designed for CO2 condensing systems.
“They [the Optidrives] are all creating energy and process efficiencies in motor control across a range of industries from manufacturing to marine, agriculture to water, and cranes to food and beverage,” Dean explained. “VFDs are playing a major part in helping reduce carbon emissions globally through efficient motor control. We’re very proud of how our inverter technology is helping contribute to that.”
The two million milestone comes after Invertek reported record sales in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, following “significant continued year-on-year growth” since the company was established in 1998.
Invertek is not resting on its laurels however, but making “significant’ investments in its UK facility to ensure increased production capacity, as well as focusing on R&D to create ever more efficient VFD products.
After a 20-year history as an independent company, Invertek was acquired by Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI) Ltd, in November 2019. Sumitomo is a manufacturer and distributor of power transmission and control equipment.
Invertek forms part of the SHI’s EMEIA group of companies (Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa). This includes Sumitomo Drive Technologies, based in Germany, and Lafert Group, based in Italy.
“VFDs are playing a major part in helping reduce carbon emissions globally through efficient motor control. We’re very proud of how our inverter technology is helping contribute to that.”
Shaun Dean, Invertek