THREE Alcester companies were paid a visit last week from West Midlands MEP Phil Bennion, who visited several firms being helped out by their connection with Europe.

Travelling in a Nissan Leaf electric car, which is part of a project being organised by one of the companies, Mr Bennion visited GreenMech, Greenwatt Technology, and the Minerva Mill Innovation Centre to see some of the work taking place.

Mr Bennion went to see how GreenMech, a designer and manufacturer of wood chippers and shredders, has built up its business, exporting to 28 countries, and expanding its Alcester base by 50 per cent since 2007.

The firm now employs more than 60 people including two new engineering apprentices.

The MEP was chauffeured for the day by Mike Woollacott, managing director of Greenwatt Technology, a consultancy and project manager for renewable energy and low carbon initiatives, which is currently undertaking a project to introduce electric vehicles to rural small and medium enterprises in Warwickshire.