Israeli investment creating up to 100 jobs in South Wales
Israeli companies have announced £3 million of investment in South Wales and growth plans of up to 100 jobs.
Israeli companies have today announced £3 million of investment in South Wales and growth plans that could lead to up to 100 jobs being created and £13 million being spent with local suppliers.
The announcements are being made as a delegation of Israeli businesses visit Wales to celebrate existing Israeli-Welsh trade and investment links, and to explore new opportunities.
The investment announcements are the result of close work between the UK government (through UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Israel) and the Welsh Government. They include:
SPTS Technologies
Newport-based SPTS, a Welsh anchor company and a global leader in the semiconductor equipment market, has announced that it has exceeded U.S. $1 billion in exports.
SPTS Technologies, owned since August 2014 by NASDAQ-listed Israeli company Orbotech, exports over 95% of its products to a global customer base. The $1 billion export sales have been achieved since 2009, when the company was founded.
The company was awarded £4.6 million Research Development and Innovation funding by the Welsh Government last year. This was for a 3 year project to develop the next generation of products for Advanced Packaging applications and place the company at the forefront of the industry.
It will create 30 full-time R&D roles in Newport and result in an anticipated additional £13 million spent with local suppliers over the term of the project.
Sapiens International Corporation
Sapiens International Corporation, a leading global provider of software solutions for the insurance industry, anticipates another year of double-digit growth.
Sapiens currently employs 240 people in the UK and is expecting to grow its Cardiff-based workforce substantially over the next 12 months.
Amiad Water Systems
Amiad Water Systems, a leading global producer of water treatment and filtration solutions, has announced that it has chosen Swansea as the location of its first permanent base in UK.
Over the past 2 decades, Amiad has supplied innovative solutions throughout the UK - from the Eden Project and the energy-saving zero-carbon Kingston Heights Project to providing effective Cryptosporidium protection in multiple waterworks.
Amiad will be creating 5 to 10 new jobs in the first year with potential for further expansion. Through its engineering skills and ability to innovate, Amiad provides cost-effective sustainable solutions for the industrial, municipal, irrigation, oil & gas and ballast water markets in 80 countries.
Lordan UK
Lordan UK has announced a £1 million investment into its south Wales facility in Hengoed which manufactures high quality custom-made fin and tube heat exchangers for the global HVAC&R market.
Lordan already employs 45 people at its Welsh operation and sees potential for further growth in the UK due to the developing needs of the UK economy.
Response to announcements
Ambassador David Quarrey commented on the announcements:
I am delighted to see the strengthening of trade relations between Israel and Wales.
Facilitated by UKTI Israel, the new partnerships being formed will lead to job creation through Israeli investment and companies launching offices in Wales. I am certain ties between the 2 markets will continue to deepen, a collaboration that will benefit both sides.
Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said:
Our innovative technology sector is helping to harness overseas investment and create jobs in Wales.
Through the UK government’s global trade network, international investors can see that Wales is an outward-looking nation and an attractive destination for business. Israel is a close friend of the UK and we enjoy an excellent trade relationship, built on decades of co-operation.
I want today’s announcements to be a catalyst for Wales to forge closer links with global markets and companies. This is a fantastic opportunity to show that we are open for business, open for trade, and open for investment.
Welsh Government Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:
I am delighted that Wales is proving to be such an attractive location for advanced technology companies from Israel and that we are seeing new investment as well as significant on-going reinvestment.
It is a strong endorsement that Wales provides the optimum environment for businesses to flourish and grow which is reinforced by the record number of inward investment projects from overseas companies that are choosing Wales above any other country as their location of choice.