US battery firm chooses West Midlands for base

A high-tech American battery firm has announced plans to set up its new UK and European base at Staffordshire’s Keele University Science Park.

California-based Contour Energy Systems has been hunting for a European presence prior to the introduction of new commercial battery systems. Contour is the result of a collaboration between the California Institute of Technology and the French National Centre for Scientific Research. Contour is managed by a team of battery industry leaders from Duracell, CalTech, Energizer, ConocoPhillips, Hewlett-Packard and Ultralife.

It has already won two contracts with NASA - one of which will see it develop high-energy batteries which can perform under a wide temperature range during manned space missions.

Simon Lee-Overy, the new Managing Director of Contour UK, said: “Having an established presence in the UK provides us with a strategic beach head as we prepare the launch of our battery systems in the UK and Europe”.

Advice from UK Trade & Investment pointed directors towards the Advantage West Midlands (AWM) ‘Bridge to Growth’ scheme. Richard Butler, AWM’s Head of International Investment, said: “Contour’s decision to invest in the West Midlands not only brings a successful global brand to the region but also many more high skilled jobs, importantly in a high tech, high value industry.”

Rosi Monkman, Business Support Manager at Keele University Science and Business Park, added: “It is clear that our central location in the UK is a key factor in attracting high-calibre, international companies looking for a base from which to enter the UK and European markets.”

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