Local energy firm set for major expansion with Miami deal

London-based Quimera Energy Efficiency, which designs and delivers energy efficiency and building solutions for hotels around the world, has taken its first step into the US market after winning a new seven-figure export contract.

The firm will now see its systems installed in all three Marriott hotels operated by the MDM Hotel Group, Miami.

To help secure the partnership, Quimera Energy Efficiency worked with International Trade Advisers (ITAs) from the Department for International Trade (DIT), which helped the business make key legal contacts and meet new commercial partners in the US.

In a bid to drive further US growth, Quimera Energy Efficiency is now working with government advisers at the British Consulate in Chicago to explore a new joint venture with Hyatt Hotels in the city.

The business is also in discussions with a further 30 hotels across the US market, which could deliver up to £6m in revenue for Quimera Energy Efficiency between 2019 and 2022.

John Chambers, business development director at Quimera, said: “The US is home to some of the world’s largest hospitality brands, and we hope that this new US contract is the first of more to come.

“We’ve been working with DIT since 2017, and its support in helping to source US legal and commercial partners was instrumental in making our deal with MDM happen.

“Entering the United States seemed like a big step, especially considering the size of the market.

“DIT advisers were on hand to help develop our US operations, and have been on hand to offer advice on managing issues such as late payments from customers in other markets around the world.

“Hospitality is a global industry, and our outlook has been global from the start. In addition to growing our business in the US, we’ll also be working with DIT to help build our operations in China, where £10.4bn of the £27.5bn global energy services market was spent last year.

“The success of companies like ours shows that exporting isn’t just about goods, it’s services too, and I’d encourage anyone interested to make the most of the support available - the demand is out there.”

With growing overseas prospects, particularly in the US and China, the company expects to see its total revenue increase by 200 per cent to more than £2.6m over the coming year, reaching £35.4m by 2024.

Quimera Energy Efficiency currently generates 70 per cent of its turnover from overseas sales, with customers in 12 markets overseas, including Germany, the UAE, Oman, China, India and the Dominican Republic.

Parveen Thornhill, head of the London region at DIT, added: “Quimera Energy Efficiency has been quick to recognise the opportunities for rapid growth overseas.

“When Quimera’s dedicated ITA Jim James first started working with the business, the US was identified as one of its priority markets for growth, and this deal is a major milestone.

“The US market can be a daunting one to approach for many small businesses, due to its size, level of competition and its different regulations.

“To help local firms tackle export hurdles such as these, we have a network of expert ITAs who can offer firms one-to-one guidance to help them conduct essential research, identify partners and buyers, and navigate potential barriers such as regulations and tax.

“I’m encouraging anyone interested in seeing what exporting can do for them to get in touch. If a company like Quimera can find success, there’s no reason many others can’t too.”