Historic Walsall company scores with World Cup contract
A Walsall company is taking on 10 new staff after investing around £300,000 thanks in part to its work for the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Howard Butler Ltd, known as Hobut, has been involved in a number of major construction projects for the World Cup. It makes current transformers, shunts and instruments used in electrical control panels which are in high demand in countries expanding their electricity networks.
It is now set to expand further after investing around £300,000 in revamping its factory and hiring new staff.
The company has upgraded its production facilities in in Lincoln Road and is also strengthening its engineering design department where two more new employees will be recruited.
The 102-year-old company, which has already has a team of around 100 through its various departments, has invested some £40,000 for a state-of-the-art IT system which is helping streamline production as well as £60,000 on new testing equipment. £200,000 has been invested in expanding the factory, which has included new production lines.
Managing director Paul Collins said: “In the second quarter of 2017 we have increased sales by 15 per cent on the same period from last year.
“Growth has occurred internationally on the standard products that we manufacture, but the largest increase has come from developing bespoke products for multi-national companies
“Our products such as current transformers and instrumentation are used in electrical control panels worldwide.
“Our biggest opportunities are often where construction is taking place. And where there is an expansion of the electricity networks. Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are all examples of countries investing hugely in both expansion of the power grid and where there are many construction/building projects.
“The Hobut name is specified in many of these projects due to the work we have done to get our brand appearing in these markets.
“We’re delighted to be involved in major construction projects for the 2022 World Cup. As millions of fans watch preparations from across the globe, Hobut expertise is at the heart of the action.
"UK industry is heavily involved in work to strive for excellence in the run up to the games and we are proud to be a trusted supplier. A huge ramping up of infrastructure is needed to prepare for the influx of the world’s football fans and the eyes of the media.
“To make this happen, Qatar’s main electricity board, Kahramaa, is being supported by many control panel manufacturers, who are using a range of our products.
“Our key products are also underpinning ways to monitor an increase in energy consumption as visitors are set to flood to the games.
“This major project has seen Hobut awarded contracts to supply CTs (current transformers) from our UK base – and now they are being used extensively.
“Our measuring, protection and class X transformers can be seen being built into new installations as the electricity grid infrastructure is expanded, hotels are built and preparations gather speed.”
