A fast-expanding energy data monitoring firm has broken into mainland Europe as it looks to grow its presence beyond the UK and Ireland.
Stockton-On-Tees-based EnAppSys has opened an office in Zeeland, in the Netherlands, off the back of growth that has seen the company reach a seven-figure annual turnover after several years of rapid growth.
This new European office will be headed up by Jean-Paul Harreman, an expert on the Dutch power market, who has worked in energy, finance, accounting and leadership roles for the last two decades.
EnAppSys, which has increased headcount from three to reach double figures in the last four years, purchased bigger premises on the Preston Farm Business Park last year and is now entering the first phase of its European expansion with the opening of the Netherlands office.
The company has already developed a product for the Dutch power market and has ambitious plans to spread its footprint across the wider European markets, whilst also expanding the range of services being offered as part of an ambitious expansion plan.
Paul Verrill, director of EnAppSys, said: “At a time when many businesses are having to start to consider the potential implications of Brexit upon their trading activities, we are moving on with our growth plans. We recognise that energy flows across European boundaries will continue and grow, giving an integrated European power market – whatever form of Brexit we have.
“In recent months and years, we have built up our mainland Europe customer base and we are expecting that the Netherlands will be the next key growth market for us. This expansion comes as information about bordering European markets becomes key to understanding the British power market.
“As a company operating in the power markets, we get asked on a regular basis about the potential implications of Brexit but increased renewable energy penetration has meant that power markets have become more rather than less integrated; requiring greater rather than less integration from companies operating in these markets.”
EnAppSys’ customer base has increasingly become European-focused, with the company providing services to businesses across the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and as far afield as the US – making it a natural step to operate on a wider European footing.
With underlying market forces dictating greater European integration of the power markets, irrespective of Britain’s current political direction, EnAppSys believes that much of the success that British companies are having in Europe is quickly being lost amongst the rhetoric surrounding Brexit
Paul Verrill added: “Whatever role Britain has in the wider European market, companies like ours are showing that export strategies can be effective both via our software services and via our softer consultancy services. We expect that we are one of many success stories of small British companies expanding into Europe and believe that this success is driving employment and wealth generation within our native business sector.
“However Brexit manifests itself, as a growing and thriving company we would hope that opportunities for success remain for businesses such as ours, and that these companies are given the freedom to continue their success on a wider platform.”