With Grimsby making headlines earlier this week as the ‘unemployment capital’ of Britain, Stallingborough-based technology manufacturer Myenergi is calling on local businesses to stand up to the criticism, defend the region and celebrate the thriving community that makes the city great. .
While the publicity may paint a bleak picture, co-founder Jordan Brompton is keen to raise awareness of the industry-defining work that goes on behind closed doors, and spotlight the pioneering companies that call the city home. With myenergi’s global headquarters in Stallingborough, Brompton is passionate about the potential of Grimsby, as well as its position at the heart of the UK’s renewable energy revolution.
She notes: “We cannot escape the fact that Grimsby has been hit hard by the decline of the fishing industry, but we must also not shy away from the resurgence of North East Lincolnshire as a great place to do business and a real port town . center of clean energy innovation. Nearly 2,000 local residents are already working in the renewable energy sector – a number that will only increase as more and more important projects get underway.
“There are a whole host of inspiring businesses that have chosen Grimsby as a base. From Orsted’s £14m East Coast Hub to port offices of E.ONRWE and the Renewable Energy Systems Group (RES) are giving the clean energy industry a boost to Grimsby’s revival. The wider Humber Energy Estuary cluster includes Siemens’ wind turbine blade manufacturing operations and the Able Marine Energy Park – it is a thriving community focused on the future of clean, green, decentralized energy.
“Add to this the headquarters of pharmaceutical giants Novartis and ALLpaQ, and it is clear that the city is fast becoming a center for a number of vital industries, something that the headlines often fail to recognise.
“As a leading global player in renewable energy technology, we could have based the company in London, Eindhoven or even Silicon Valley, but we are absolutely committed to North East Lincolnshire. And why wouldn’t you be? The opportunities are extensive, the talent pool is plentiful and you’ll be surrounded by some of the most innovative green companies anywhere in Britain. Two thirds of our workforce comes from the local area and we find that the people we employ in Grimsby and the surrounding area are incredibly resilient, hardworking and resourceful.”
“We believe passionately in the transformative role of sustainability, but also in the importance of embracing renewable energy, decarbonizing the supply chain and accelerating the global transition to electrification. Many of the businesses around the Humber Estuary operate at the absolute forefront of this sector and we are proud to be part of this movement.
“It’s safe to say that Grimsby is often painted in a poor light, but this dated view cannot scratch the surface. A recent survey found that the city is considered a much better place to live than Liverpool, Bournemouth and even Oxford. However, misconceptions hold us back.
“I think local businesses have a key role to play in championing the region and celebrating what makes Grimsby great. We must be collectively seen as the engine of the green movement, the center of excellence for tomorrow’s low-carbon technology and the heart of the UK’s technology melting pot.
“As a region we contribute significantly to the economy and are leading the transition to net zero. We should not hide our light or downplay our contributions, we should be proud to stand up and be counted.”