Dyson to hire 650 skilled workers

Investment: James Dyson is aiming to help bring about 'previously unthinkable technologies'

5 September 2013

Pioneering engineering firm Dyson is recruiting 650 new skilled workers to develop smaller, powerful gadgets ranging from cordless vacuum cleaners to hand dryers.

The privately-owned British group launched a major recruitment drive - including hiring another 250 engineers in the UK - after growing 2012 profits 19% to £364 million.

The company, founded by Sir James Dyson, said growth was driven by surging demand for its lightweight, battery-powered vacuum cleaners, which have small digital motors.

Dyson, which invented the bagless cyclone vacuum cleaner, is launching its latest model in October, a lightweight cordless vacuum cleaner with the same power as a corded model.

Other new inventions include its Dyson Airblade Tap, which combines water, air and electronics in a single unit and can wash and dry hands in 12 seconds. It has also launched new cyclone vacuum cleaners, which extract more microscopic dust.

Sir James, who founded the Wiltshire-based company in 1993, said: "We are growing because of continuing robust investment in research and development.

"We have been developing Dyson digital motors in Malmesbury for 15 years and we are now harnessing them to make smaller, more efficient machines."

Turnover grew 17% to £1.24 billion with strong demand across Germany, Japan, Russia, France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

The group is bolstering its engineering workforce by 45%, recruiting specialists in design, mechanics, software, acoustics, electronics and motors. About 400 of the new engineers will be based overseas.

They will add to its army of more than 1,500 scientists and engineers, who make up a third of Dyson's total 4,500-strong workforce. About 850 engineers are based at its Malmesbury headquarters.

Dyson chief executive Max Conze said: "We've delivered growth amidst tough competition and in challenging conditions.

"Our sights are set on expanding in Asia and Latin America and bringing Dyson technology to more people across China. Good technology is something people want around the world."

Sales volumes in Japan rose almost 30% during the year, and Taiwan is now one of its top-10 markets. Dyson launched in China in November and aims to be selling in 65 cities by the end of the year.

It now claims a quarter of the US market for upright vacuum cleaners, and saw sales in Spain grow by more than 30% during the year despite the country's deep recession.

In Australia and New Zealand, sales of its Air Multiplier fans and heaters surged 53%.

Dyson ploughed 36% or £70.3 million of 2011 profits into research and development during the year, and in February opened a new £150 million manufacturing site in Singapore to increase its manufacturing capacity by 200%.