{"id":55373,"date":"2025-02-11T09:52:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T09:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=55373"},"modified":"2025-02-11T09:52:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T09:52:36","slug":"uk-manufacturer-wins-funding-to-develop-critical-data-centres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/uk-manufacturer-wins-funding-to-develop-critical-data-centres\/55373\/","title":{"rendered":"UK manufacturer wins funding to develop critical data centres"},"content":{"rendered":"
Salem Tube has traded since 1992 and traditionally served the energy sector, but it is taking on more and more orders from developers of data centres.<\/p>\n
As the market for AI and cloud data storage grows rapidly, Salem has been taking on more and more contracts in this area.<\/p>\n
Data centres centralise an organisation\u2019s IT operations and equipment for the purposes of storing, processing and disseminating data and applications.<\/p>\n
Because they house the most critical and proprietary assets, data centres are vital to the continuity of daily operations.<\/p>\n
Today, there are reportedly more than 7 million worldwide. The majority of business and government entities build and maintain their own or have access to someone else’s if not both, models.<\/p>\n
Data centres provide several applications and services, including:<\/p>\n
Salem has now agreed on a financing package worth \u00a33.5m, which is provided by Santander UK and backed by the government through UKEF.<\/p>\n
This gives the business the capital it needs to take on larger data centre contracts and establish itself as a supplier to this emerging sector.<\/p>\n
UKEF offers its General Export Facility (GEF) scheme<\/a> through all the major UK banks and a range of non-bank lenders. This allows exporters to access working capital facilities up to around \u00a325m.<\/p>\n Pat Kendell, Senior Export Finance Manager (North East England), UKEF, commented: \u201cThis deal shows how government backing can help established manufacturers to seize new opportunities in the industries of the future.<\/p>\n \u201cBy supporting Salem Tube\u2019s move into the data centre market, UKEF is helping to safeguard jobs and boost exports in the North-East.\u201d<\/p>\n Mark Ling, Head of Trade & Supplier Finance, Santander UK, added: \u201cWe are delighted to provide further support for Salem Tube\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n \u201cOur partnership and collaboration with both Salem Tube and UKEF demonstrates our commitment to the international growth of businesses in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n This also helps Salem to complete its rebound from COVID-19 and grow larger than ever. It secured a range of overseas contracts in the US and the Middle East last year and is now considering taking on more employees.<\/p>\n This is the latest phase of Salem\u2019s partnership with UKEF, which has supported the business for over five years and previously helped it win new contracts in Africa.<\/p>\n The funding for Salem Tube builds on the government\u2019s partnership with US tech firms<\/a> to invest in new data centres in the UK.<\/p>\n This took total investment in UK data centres to over \u00a325bn since this government took office, demonstrating a continuous effort to drive growth by partnering with businesses.<\/p>\nFuelling the next generation of tech in the UK<\/h3>\n