Michael Fabricant officially named and opened the new technical innovation centre on Friday last week (6th December) as part of a visit to one of the region’s fastest growing businesses, SE Controls.

“The Centre reflects Lichfield District’s growing importance as a hot-spot for high technology companies” says Michael Fabricant, himself a Chartered Engineer. “This is not by accident. The area is able to draw on highly motivated and well educated people who are well skilled in this sort of industry. And that is reflected in the Lichfield constituency’s low unemployment rate currently standing at just 1.9%. We are pleased to have SE Controls operating from Fradley in the Lichfield constituency” Michael adds.

The 21,500 sq ft (2000 sq.mtr) ‘Hood innovation Centre’ is named posthumously in honour of the company’s former Head of R&D, Chris Hood, who played a pivotal role in developing SE Controls’ smoke and natural ventilation system products, which have helped the company grow by more than 35% since 2010 and create around 25 new jobs over the past two years.

“Product development and technical innovation are essential facets of our business and helps ensure that we provide the best and most effective solutions possible. This not only helps us maintain a strong competitive advantage, but is also vitally important when designing and manufacturing life critical smoke ventilation systems,” explained SE Controls’ Managing Director, Will Perkins.

He added: “Chris Hood was a true innovator and was instrumental in many of the products, systems and solutions that we offer today, so it’s very fitting that his legacy is recognised and acknowledged with the dedication of our new technical innovation centre in his name.”

SE Controls specialises in the design, project management and installation of advanced smoke ventilation and natural ventilation solutions to meet the needs of architects, contractors, building services engineers and facilities managers worldwide. Further information on SE Controls’ products, solutions and projects can be obtained by visiting www.secontrols.com or calling +44 (0) 1543 443060.

Photograph shows Michael Fabricant with Will Perkins of SE Controls