A business that designs, builds and installs automation systems for clients in multiple sectors expands into Liverpool city region. Tony McDonough reports

Automation specialist Group Technology, which trades as iconsys, has opened its first base in Liverpool city region.

Based in Telford in Shropshire, iconsys designs, builds and installs automation systems for clients in multiple sectors. They include maritime, construction materials, metals, energy, transportation and consumer goods.

Its most recent financial results show a rise in annual revenues by £5m to £14.5m with pre-tax profit of more than £1.8m against a loss of £843,000 in the previous year. It now employs 81 people and is looking to recruit an extra 15 engineers and support staff.

Now the venture has opened a new base at Sci-Tech Daresbury as it looks to grow its footprint in the North West and attract new engineering talent. 

Trevor Darrell founded iconsys and remains the owner of the business. His son, Nick, is managing director and he said: “Companies across all markets are switching on to the many benefits our control and automated solutions can provide.

“This is in terms of improved safety, reliability, efficiency, reducing obsolescence risk and transitioning to net zero. This is translating into a massive growth opportunity for our business. Daresbury offers greater flexibility and allows for a more engaging experience for our existing staff living in and around the North West.

“It opens up the talent pool to boost our growing team of ‘best in class’ engineers. Our customers will also benefit from having ‘boots on the ground’ in this region.”

Nick revealed the company’s sales pipeline was looking “very healthy” for the next 12 months. He added: “The way we deliver value at all stages of the process, from consulting, design and build to manufacture, installation and service support sets us apart from our competitors. \

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“We are also ‘technology platform-independent’ which is another unique differentiator, ensuring our customers always get the optimal solution.

“Some of the decisions we have taken over the last two years have been pivotal to our expansion and have laid the foundations for the next phase.

“This includes the development of a £3m smart factory in Telford, which we’re already looking to substantially extend, the creation of our internal training academy to support staff development and the opening of Daresbury and our third office in Scotland.

“We’ve also strengthened our senior management team with a host of key director-level hires in finance, sales and HR.”