Natural gas equipment manufacturer expands in Kent

Kent-based Paget CNG Ltd, a leading international manufacturer of natural gas refuelling equipment for the automotive industry, is expanding in Thanet with the assistance of investment promotion agency, Locate in Kent.

Brothers Aldo and Giorgio Rolla chose Broadstairs for the UK operation of their Milan-based company in 2005. Paget manufactures compressor units, storage modules and pump dispensers for compressed natural gas (CNG), designs and installs CNG refuelling stations and produces kits to covert petrol vehicles to natural gas - all from its factory in Kent. Natural gas is found underground, formed from organic matter and is recognised as a cleaner alternative to petrol.

The company was awarded a £750,000 grant to be released in stages, as part of the Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) scheme run in the region by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). The grant was arranged by the South East Grant Advisory Service (Se-gas), which to works to raise awareness about grants available to eligible businesses and provides free assistance to companies for the completion of grant applications. Se-gas works in association with Kent's investment promotion agency, Locate in Kent.

Paget has taken 26,000 sq ft of space at Westwood Business Park in Thanet and plans to construct a purpose-built CNG re-fuelling station in addition to building more manufacturing space and offices for its growing workforce. The company is set to move in stages, starting in February and hopes to create 47 jobs through this project.

Aldo Rollo, Managing Director of Paget CNG, commented: "Paget needed a large enough site to encompass all our expansion plans; we hope to build fuelling stations throughout Kent so that the county can lead the way in developing a cleaner, greener, environment. With excellent access to the continent from which to service our international customer base, Thanet is an ideal location which will help us achieve our projected target outputs."

Paul Wookey, Chief Executive of Locate in Kent said: "Kent has a strong and growing alternative energy sector. What with projects like the largest offshore windfarm - London Array - and companies like Paget, who are dedicated to investing in more environmentally-friendly solutions - Kent is fast becoming a strong contributor to the Government's 2010 renewable energy target."

For more information regarding Paget CNG, visit http://www.pagetcng.com/index.html.

For information about the relocation and support services offered by Locate in Kent visit http://www.locateinkent.com/ or call 01723 520700.