Battery firm celebrates national award

Some of the Hyperdrive Innovation team at their Sunderland, factory.

Hyperdrive Innovation, based at Barmstone Lane, has today been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise – recognising the company for its excellence in innovation, following a period of rapid growth as demand for electrification soars.

The firm, which employs 70 people, is the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of lithium-ion battery technology in vehicles.

Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country.

Chris Pennison, CEO of Hyperdrive, said: “Receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise is testament to the hard work and effort of the team over recent years. “Demand for innovative battery technology is increasing more than ever and our cutting-edge battery packs provide a genuine alternative to the internal combustion engine and are being deployed worldwide to support a wide range of industries to electrify, reduce operating costs and slash emissions.”

Patrick Melia, chief executive Sunderland City Council said: “This is excellent news and fitting recognition of the exceptional innovation and growth achieved by Hyperdrive Innovation as a business from the outset.

"Hyperdrive have been consistent in their commitment both to high quality research and development and is making a very significant contribution to the electrification of advanced manufacturing from their base here in Sunderland.”

The firm, founded in 2012, is capable of producing 30,000 battery packs each year – providing high skilled green jobs for the region.

The award comes at a time of rapid growth for Hyperdrive as global demand for battery technology takes off.

In the last few years alone, the company has been supporting some to the world’s most recognisable brands to decarbonise key sectors of the world’s economy. Partners include JCB, Hitachi Rail and the world’s largest online grocery retailer.

Stephen Irish, Hyperdrive founder and director of business innovation added: “We’re extremely proud to receive the Queens award and for what we’ve achieved since starting the business, working closely with our customers to deliver world leading zero emissions electrified solutions to a range of industries”

In 2019 and 2020, Hyperdrive was named in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 list as one of the fastest growing British tech firms.