A GRANGEMOUTH company that installs eco-friendly technology into a range of campervans is ramping up its operations in anticipation of seeing its turnover increase by 400 per cent in the next five years.
As well as using hybrid batteries to power the white goods inside its vehicles, Campervans Scotland is focusing on converting vehicles that run on liquefied petroleum gas rather than diesel or petrol, meaning their emissions are far lower than those from traditional vehicles.
Read more: Grangemouth campervan firm powers on with Ford deal
Increasing demand for this type of vehicle is driving the firm’s growth, said founder Gary Hayes.
“Last year we launched a hybrid campervan and that’s gone exactly as planned and is leading to growth,” said Mr Hayes.
“We’ve seen a 50% increase in turnover and want to go from £1 million to £3m to £5m over the next five years.
“To do that we have to increase productivity and capacity so we’re streamlining our production process, getting rid of our petrol and diesel designs and moving towards renewable energy campervans.
“That’s where the future is.”
As part of that Mr Hayes is looking to create an in-house team focused on hybrid technologies and is currently hiring for a range of roles including a head of operations and a head mechanic.
“We’re bringing in fresh talent that want to develop these renewable technologies and to take us forward with innovation,” he said.
“We want to keep all the technology in-house so we are experts in hybrid technology.”
This focus on developing the technology used in its vehicles has seen Campers Scotland partner with the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen to examine the types of energy sources that could be used in its vans.
Read more: Grangemouth campervan firm powers on with Ford deal
The firm is also working with three MBA students at the University of Edinburgh to come up with the best way to market and sell its vehicles overseas.
Although Campers Scotland has sold a couple of vans in Spain, it is keen to export more widely and is looking to draw up plans to sell into Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and Europe.
Mr Hayes said that as part of that the firm is exploring ways of building the parts in Scotland then transporting them to the destination country to be fitted into vehicles there.
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