Member Article

Innovate UK helps specialist engineering firm with US breakthrough

London-based specialist engineering firm Whitefox Technologies has signed a technology licence and purchase agreement with a pair of American companies as it attempts to break into the US market.

The firm, which provides innovative energy and water-efficient membrane solutions for ethanol production, signed the deals with California-based Pacific Ethanol and Iowa-based Pine Lake Corn Processors.

Breakthroughs in both deals were a result of ‘clean and cool’ trade missions to San Francisco and Brazil which were arranged by the UK’s innovation agency Innovate UK, and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

The company, which currently has 18 employees on its books, is targeting future growth in America and Europe and is aiming for a 25 to 30-strong workforce by the end of the year.

Trond Heggenhougen, Operating Officer at Whitefox, commented: “It’s extremely difficult to get into the US market. When you first do it, it is very significant. That’s why this is so exciting.

“We are also addressing global problems of an increasing population with limited supplies of water and energy.

Trond was also complimentary about the role UKTI played in helping the firm gain a foothold in the American market.

He explained: “I went on the Clean and Cool Mission to San Francisco in 2012. I was able to speak to key stakeholders, industry players and potential customers and get advice and support from mission sponsors.

“It’s important. It helps you to get a foothold in the market. Since then we have had help with getting customers from the UKTI in San Francisco and particularly from the UKTI in Chicago.”