Case Study:

Huber Technology’s state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants are produced in Wiltshire to bespoke requirements for some of the UK’s major water and manufacturing companies. Huber’s market-leading technology is contributing to a more sustainable way of using water, energy and resources. We spoke to Steve Morris, Managing Director about Huber’s experience in the Swindon & Wiltshire area.

What made you decide to locate in the region?

“Huber Technology UK was the first overseas subsidiary to be set up by our German parent company: Huber SE. The company was started by employees from the former agent who were based in Wiltshire, and at the time the decision was made to remain in the area.”

Tell us about your workforce.

“As an engineering company, we require some specific core skills, such as CAD designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians. We also need workshop fabricators with hands-on mechanical and electrical skills. We have project management and sales personnel too, who all have technical and engineering expertise. It takes time and investment to train and develop our employees, and consequently staff retention is very important to us – and we have been particularly successful here, with a high percentage of our staff staying with the company for 10-15 years, and some for over 25 years.

We invest in our employees through training (both in-house and externally), development and career progression. We have also successfully developed our own apprentices who are contributing to the business and are an important part of our succession planning.”

Where are you based?

“Huber Technology was originally set up in Trowbridge, but we moved to our current location in Chippenham, between Bath & Swindon, over 20 years ago. The premises have been substantially enhanced over the years and offer large workshop facilities and modern offices.

The area provides us with everything we need, and is particularly good for its connections to our customers and regional centres around the UK, via motorways and other transport links.”

How has the business grown since you came to Swindon and Wiltshire?

“During our time in Chippenham, we have grown to a £15m business, with around 75 people employed in the UK, based here in Wiltshire as well as in our regional service centres in Yorkshire, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

What has surprised you about the region?

“What really appeals here is the quality of life, which is often what attracts people to relocate into the area. Wiltshire and the West Country is a very attractive proposition, in terms of places to live, leisure facilities and schools. Wiltshire, in particular, ticks all the boxes – with its fantastic countryside, great market towns and good connections to London and the rest of the UK.”