A Midlands component and software manufacturer which counts cutting-edge supercar manufacturers among its clients is set to double its floorspace after recent success and create 10 new jobs over the next three years.
Embed Limited, based at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Viscount Centre, creates embedded software systems to control a wide range of functions in vehicles and other applications.
The company was created in 2005 with just a handful of staff after Midlands car manufacturer MG Rover collapsed and found a home at the Science Park, where it has thrived over the last 19 years.
Now, Embed is about to move into 3,740 sq ft of additional space at the Viscount Centre as it looks to free up more lab space to work on individual projects, and to provide more room for new staff.
The news comes after Embed successfully produced controller hardware and software for a spoiler airbrake system on the Gordon Murray T50, a high-end supercar which Top Gear Magazine rates as ‘the best driver’s car in the world’.
With demand for custom-made hardware and software solutions increasing, especially in the automotive sector, and Embed’s recent acquisition by US automotive fuse manufacturers Littelfuse, the company needed to ensure it had enough space to continue on its upward curve.
Ivan Wilson, Director of Embed, said: “The success of our spoiler airbrake system for the Gordon Murray T50 was an excellent result for us, and didn’t go unnoticed.
“After we were acquired by Littelfuse, a good proportion of our work has been to create innovative and smart fuse systems for the automotive and off-highway sector.
“We’ve created what’s known as a solid-state fuse box, which can very accurately monitor the stress on electronic systems in vehicles. This means a traditional blade fuse – which burns when the current gets too high – is no longer needed as we can turn off the power in software much faster and more accurately.
“Not only does this prolong the life of a vehicle’s electrics, it crucially saves space and weight both in wiring and the positioning of the fuse panel, which is vital for supercar manufacturers who want to save as much weight as possible to maximise performance.
“This is among one of many projects we are working on that improves the life and performance of electric systems within vehicles, and has meant our current premises has become a little cramped.”
After having occupied one half of Viscount Centre D on Millburn Hill Road, Embed hoped to acquire the other half of the building to ensure a costly relocation was not needed.
Ivan added: “We’ve been at the Science Park for around 19 years, and have expanded through various sites owned by them throughout that time. As we made the decision to expand once again, the Science Park got on it immediately as expected, and were incredibly helpful from the start.
“They were able to facilitate our acquisition of the rest of Viscount Centre D, which was the ideal solution for the business and our staff.
“Having this additional space will mean we can dedicate plenty of space to work carefully on new prototypes, instead of having workstations very close to our employees’ desks. It will also ensure the new staff we’re looking to recruit will have an inviting, spacious work environment to enjoy.
“We’re hopeful of moving into our new space within the next six weeks or so, and we’re confident it will allow us to build on the excellent success we’ve had recently.”
Victoria Lynch, Head of Commercial at the University of Warwick Science Park, added: “Embed is a fantastic example of the Science Park ensuring its tenants are provided with the best service when considering an expansion.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Embed take on the whole of Viscount Centre D, and wish them all the best as they continue to deliver incredible results for their clients.”
