Sunderland-based, global voice alarm and safety communications specialist Vox Ignis has opened the doors of its new £0.5m HQ at the North East BIC.
Founded in 2014, Vox Ignis has become renowned for its fire and safety alarm and communication systems which are sold globally under the Vox Ignis and leading OEM brands around the world.
The move sees the company take ownership of a site four times larger than its previous unit and delivers the capacity required to support its ongoing growth in domestic and international markets. The move includes significant investments in process equipment, the operations and commercial teams over the short term.
Anthony Smith, managing director of Vox Ignis, said: “It’s a great pleasure to be able to announce this move. It is the result of many positive developments over recent years, and of course the support of our many excellent customers and staff.
“When we started Vox Ignis, we set out to update the technology available across our markets. We’re proud to promise customers high quality, future-proofed systems that are simple to specify, install and maintain and offer the best life safety performance. We continue to expand into new countries, markets and channels and we look forward to this next step in our growth with real excitement.
“I’d especially like to thank the great team at the BIC for helping us make the move so quickly. They’ve been great landlords from the first day we started, and it’s a great community to grow a business in. Thanks also to UMi who provided us with a grant that will be invaluable in quickly executing our plans for employment growth, Sunderland City Council’s business investment team and Clive Owen LLP who helped us with the grant application over a very short timeframe.”
Paul McEldon OBE, chief executive of the BIC, said: “We are thrilled that Vox Ignis has opened a new head office and manufacturing facility here at the BIC.
“The company is a great success story for the region, flying the flag for UK manufacturing across the globe, and we are delighted to have been able to support the company on its remarkable growth journey.
“It’s a fantastic example of how our flexible and affordable workspace can provide scaling businesses with the support and space required to grow sustainably and we would like to wish them all the best for the future as the company continues to grow.”
UMi provided a £75,054 grant to Vox Ignis through the Business Growth Fund, which it managed on behalf of Sunderland City Council.
Jonpaul Heron, specialist adviser at UMi, said: “The Business Growth Fund was established to help break down the barriers to growth preventing the region’s SMEs from realising their potential and this is a fantastic example of how it continues to do just that.
“By providing Vox Ignis with a sustainable way to finance the move into a new head office and manufacturing facility, it will help significantly improve productivity, create jobs and increase output. It has been a pleasure working with Anthony and the team and we’d like to wish them all the best for the future.”
The Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council supported Vox Ignis’ expansion, providing advice and signposting the company to the Business Growth Fund which has received £494,853 in Sunderland from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for housing, business and regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to see Vox Ignis continuing to grow and invest in our city.
“Their expanded head office and manufacturing facility at the BIC will provide the company with the space required to continue innovating and creating jobs and we are delighted to have been able to support the company’s ongoing expansion thanks to the Business Growth Fund.
“They are a great success story for the city and we’d like to wish them all the best for the future.”
Vox Ignis is a global specialist in voice alarm, emergency voice communication, and assistance call systems. Designed and manufactured in the UK and sold under the Vox Ignis and leading OEM brands worldwide, its products amplify the safety of millions of people and buildings every day. For more information, visit www.vox-ignis.com