In 2019, a group of professionals specialized in the automotive world, with decades of experience as leading suppliers in the sector, created KINGSTON GORTON CONSULTING , a consulting service specialized in the mobility and renewable energy sector.

Since that moment, the consulting firm has successfully led the coordination of various merger operations, as well as product development, system specifications or training of engineering teams. Likewise, they manufacture and supply many major automobile manufacturers, from locations around the world.

Now they have their sights set on what is, without a doubt, the future of the automotive industry: the hydrogen battery, the latest great development for cars and trucks equipped with FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) fuel cell technology. According to experts, this technology improves two of the weak points of electric cars: autonomy and the lack of charging points. For this reason, the simplicity of hydrogen and its speed when refueling make this material seen as the true green alternative in the automotive sector.

Stuart Kirby , founder and executive director of KINGSTON GORTON CONSULTING, contacts the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce in its search for international partners, collaborators and suppliers, with the idea of ​​helping them carry out the ecological transformation in their processes, or the search of alternatives, such as selling parts on the second-hand market. Thanks to the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce, they come into contact with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the largest support network for SMEs with international projection in Europe.

We spoke with Stuart Kirby about the internationalization services of the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce. 

When and why did you start working with EEN?

In March 2022 we consulted some profiles published on the EEN, and it was at that time that we requested entry into the platform. A decision that has opened the doors for us to establish contacts of interest with manufacturers, companies, suppliers, as well as other Chambers of Commerce and Universities interested in the development of sustainable technologies that help control emissions. For example, the EEN allowed us to connect a German combustion engine company with a partner, a laboratory, more specifically, to guide it in reducing its carbon footprint through the development of a fuel cell, a more sustainable, efficient and autonomous energy.

You were recently able to participate, through the EEN, in the Hy-fcell Stuttgard 2023 Fair, what was the experience like?

Hy-fcell is one of the leading international trade fairs for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. There we were able to discuss technological advances, transfer knowledge and access the international market. In addition to the exhibition and the hy-fcell 2023 conference, we had the opportunity to hold four very interesting in-person B2B meetings for the exchange of experiences and the creation of personal networks, which can lead to future collaborations.

How do you think being part of the EEN could have benefited you, which otherwise would have been much more complicated?

The EEN has facilitated us, among other aspects, to establish relationships, through the different Chambers of Commerce, with entities such as the TU Berlin (Technical University Berlin) and the University of Western Bohemia of the Czech Republic who have funds for research. and development of a key component of the fuel cell called MEA, and the potential cooperation of these universities with a Danish company.

Do you plan to participate in fairs or have more international partners?

Yes, without a doubt, we plan to participate in more fairs and events that we consider of interest to the sector. This same month of October we will participate in an international online event. Since we became aware of the EEN, we go to the platform frequently, we visit the page and thanks to the support of the International department of the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce, we are making requests to establish contacts with those profiles and/or events that we consider of interest.