Libertine FPE Limited is taking the first unit at the second phase of Sheffield’s Vantage Park Industrial Estate to advance its linear motor-generator technologies.
The company has signed an agreement to lease 6,610 sq ft plus 930 sq ft of first floor offices at EV Waddington’s Vantage Park close to junction 34 of the M1 motorway, allowing the set up of new headquarters and using the space to develop its Linear Power Systems technology.
The move will pave the way for new product development and testing facilities following a £650k funding injection in 2017, led by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Sam Cockerill, founder and chief executive of Libertine FPE, said: “The investment in new premises at Vantage Park is a crucial milestone for this company and one which will allow us to accelerate the development and commercialisation of our Linear Power Systems technology.
“It is no coincidence that we chose to locate along the Sheffield Rotherham border, an area which has an abundance of advanced technology based businesses and a skilled labour market that will be crucial for further recruitment and expansion of the business. It is also a hub for supply chain businesses and these concentrated factors will suit our operations.
“The integrated linear electrical machine, power electronics and control systems that we provide at Libertine will accelerate the commercialisation of free-piston engines, revolutionising distributed power generation, because it delivers more effective control of free piston motion than has been achievable in the past.
“We are already working with a number of customers ranging from long established blue-chip companies to disruptive new energy technology startups. We help our clients evaluate and adopt our Linear Power Systems to accelerate their new product development.
Libertine’s agreement to lease was brokered by the Sheffield office of Knight Frank and will see the company take residence in December 2017.