Robotics firm relocates to Skylon Park in Hereford

By Nicky Godding

15 March 2022

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A leading robotics and automation business has relocated to Hereford’s Shell Store at Skylon Park as part of a growth strategy which includes supporting the county’s food and drink sector.

Visicon, which provides machine vision, collaborative robot and industrial ID systems, has moved to the business incubation centre on Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, as it looks to meet increasing demand for its services.

The company, which was founded by control system specialist Peter Jelf, works with customers looking to increase production efficiency and reduce costs. It has recently recruited two new members of staff through the government Kickstarter scheme, which will further increase the company’s ability to support growth and customer support.

Supporting a number of sectors, including the food and beverage, packaging, healthcare and manufacturing industries, Visicon is aiming to use the move to increase its own success and will be looking into hiring additional staff to support with the growth.

Peter said: “We’ve been looking to move to bigger premises over the past year, as many of the projects we’re now working on are simply too big for our current set-up. We have been able to secure a Revive and Thrive grant from Herefordshire Council, which is specifically for businesses looking to move to commercial premises in the region.

“We thoroughly enjoy working with local companies to help them make the next step in their own production or manufacturing facilities. Many of the organisations we work with don’t realise just what the possibilities are when it comes to machine vision and robotics, thinking this type of technology is only available for large blue-chip companies.

“Visicon prides itself on bringing quality technology solutions to the fingertips of business owners, with support and training every step of the way. We have big ambitions for Visicon and The Shell Store will be the perfect home for us, in what is set to be an exciting period of growth.

“Part of that will be working closely with food and drink producers and processers to help improve productivity through digitalisation and robotic technology.”

Mark Pearce, Managing Director of the Hereford Enterprise Zone, said that The Shell Store provided an opportunity for businesses to lay the foundations for future success.

“The Shell Store provides a unique employment space for dynamic and innovative businesses like Visicon and we’re excited to see the team grow and develop in their new home.

“With space filling up fast, we’d urge any other ambitious, growing companies to arrange a visit to the Shell Store to see the fantastic facilities for themselves.

“Alongside purpose-built units that are suitable for start-ups and grow on space, a number of offices are available in the 2,500 sqm. building. The Shell Store is also home to the Marches Growth Hub, meaning there is business support available right on site alongside conference and meeting facilities and soon to be opened café.”

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.