Patrick Steel Sharpens Its Competitive Edge With New Machine

Patrick Steel Ltd is a specialist in the provision of flame cutting, CNC profile cutting and Lumsden grinding services.

Founded in 1986 as flame cutting, CNC and Lumsden grinding specialists, the company steadily grew until 2003, before merging with Coventry Profiles. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, becoming a leading supplier in the steel industry, renowned for flame cutting, Lumsden grinding and CNC work throughout the Coventry area, the Midlands and the rest of the UK.

With a wealth of knowledge in thesteelwork industry, Patrick Steel is able toaccommodate small, singular orders aswell as large batch quantities througha fast and efficient CNC flame cuttingand grinding service.

The Plan

Patrick Steel Ltd was looking to sharpen its competitive edge and open up new markets by purchasing a new £60,000 plasma machine. With a marked difference in quality, accuracy and most importantly speed of cutting, the new KERF RUR 2500 plasma profile machine offered the opportunity to take the business to the next level. Patrick Steel Managing Director Simon Birch was referred to the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub through a business associate and account manager Colin Hanson-New arranged a meeting to discuss funding options.

He helped Simon and his team apply for capital grant funding through Coventry City Council, which resulted in securing £19,500 towards the overall £60,000 cost of the project.

The Results

The plasma machine’s capabilities has opened up new orders for components across a range of sectors including automotive, aerospace and construction. With new orders for work coming into the business, Patrick Steel is in the position to employ three new full-time members of staff to meet the demand, all recruited locally from the Coventry area. Simon Birch, Managing Director of Patrick Steel said: “We have never had this type of technology on site before and it’s made a huge difference to the business.

“With the flame-cutting technique we use on our other machines, it can take up to 30 seconds to cut the required components, but with the plasma machine we can cut components within a second. “Along with the reduction in time taken to cut components, it’s also increased quality and accuracy, enabling us to bring in new business from a variety of sectors including automotive, aerospace and construction.

“It’s also importantly allowed us to create three full time jobs, all recruited locally from Coventry, and that is of great benefit to us as a business and to the region.” “The assistance from the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub has been invaluable.

“They have been so useful through every step of the process. I was always initially wary of applying for funding as it usually means lots of form filling, which in itself is very time consuming and therefore offputting for businesses. “However it turned out to be a lot easier than we thought due to the assistance from the Growth Hub. We always had someone on the end of the phone to advise us, who was able to point us towards the right funding pots and were there every step of the way to help us through the whole process.”

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,