Pontypool-based Halton Wales has made a global name for itself as a leading designer and manufacturer of fire and blast protection and ventilation systems used in the nuclear, tunnel and energy industries.
The company has seen its products used in flagship projects all over the world, from Hinkley Point in Somerset and Thames Tideway’s £4.1bn super sewer project in Central London, to the Riyadh metro system in Saudi Arabia and the Chernobyl New Safe Confinement dome.
Originally established in 1981 as Flamgard Calidair, before being acquired by indoor air technology business Halton Group last year, the company’s ventilation systems are used to ensure the containment of smoke, fire, toxic gases, and blast waves in accidental conditions.
Thanks to a successful export strategy, combined with a strong pipeline of domestic projects, the company is projecting record-breaking turnover for 2024 and has its sights set on doubling this by 2030 by further growing its global client base.
International sales currently make up around 90 per cent of Halton Wales’ trade, with the company exporting to more than 10 countries across the EU, Australia, US, South America and South East Asia. It boasts contracts with leading industry names including EDF, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Siemens and Rolls Royce.
Being based in Wales has also given Flamgard the opportunity to join other Wales based businesses, who are exporting all around the world, at global trade events to meet potential distribution partners and clients overseas.
Shuresh Maran, Segment Director, said: “Wales is a fantastic place to start and scale a business. Being based here has provided us with many benefits, which has been vital to our growth and helped us to develop a portfolio of clients all around the world.
“The support we’ve had has played a crucial role in our international expansion, enabling us to attend invaluable trade missions that we would not otherwise have been able to attend ourselves. We have also been assisted with market research to understand what sectors and regions we could potentially work with, while help with R&D has enabled us to innovate and meet project requirements.”
Thanks to Halton’s export strategy, the business’ turnover has doubled to £8m over the last four years. It is now eyeing further growth by targeting the Middle East and North America, with plans to open a dedicated US base in South Carolina this year due to the demand in the region.
The company’s location in Wales has also been helpful for its recruitment. “Being in Wales has also helped us to attract talent,” Shuresh added, “particularly following the pandemic when many people chose to move away from major cities into more rural areas. We’ve had staff move from Kent to Newport to be a part of our team!
For more information on Halton Wales, visit: https://flamgard.halton.com/
