Crestchic, a leading manufacturer of loadbanks and power testing solutions, is celebrating its 40th year in business this month, after enjoying a sharp upward growth trajectory in recent years.
Founded in 1983, Crestchic was created to fill a gap in the market for air-cooled loadbanks to test standby generators, which were increasingly becoming a part of commercial and industrial building development. Founders Jim, David and Jonathan Gould, along with co-founder Ron Bancroft, worked through the night to design and build their first unit in the back room of a local factory. Soon, customers were asking to buy the technology as well as rent it, and the business evolved to offer loadbank rental, sales, and service – a model it retains today.
Crestchic’s success continued over the years, with strategic geographic expansion and investments in product development, people and premises driving growth in the UK and beyond. From 2015, the business invested more heavily in R&D, introducing Capacitive loadbanks, new control systems, super-fast switching thyristor load banks, and data centre-specific products such as a trailerised load bank.
In 2022, a strategic focus on key sectors and geographies, as well as investment in people and premises, saw the business increase its revenue by 45% in 2022, and a further 30% in 2023. Earlier this year, the Crestchic Group, which now enjoys a sales and rental presence in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the USA, became a wholly owned, yet largely independent, subsidiary of Aggreko. The arrangement ensures increased investment for ongoing innovation and market leadership while allowing Crestchic to retain its own identity and well-earned reputation within the industry.
Chris Caldwell, MD at Crestchic, commented: “While many of Britain’s manufacturers have suffered a drop in export demand amid pressure from Covid and Brexit, demand for Crestchic’s loadbanks has remained high across the powergen, data centre and marine sectors. To meet demand, we have significantly expanded our manufacturing facilities, fleet, and product portfolio, and made strategic investments in our people and processes. The investment and focus has paid off, and the business is celebrating its 40th year amid significant and sustained growth.”
For more information about Crestchic, and its range of loadbanks and power testing technology, please visit www.crestchicloadbanks.com
