Warwickshire Manufacturer Doubles Staff and Turnover after £1m Investment

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A Warwickshire manufacturer has doubled staff and turnover after investing £1.4 million in an ambitious move that has been given regional support.

Arter Rubber, which makes a range of hoses for a variety of industries including rail, automotive and energy, has completed a move to a new manufacturing unit in Alcester.

It was previously based in three separate units in Bidford-on-Avon but has now moved to the new purpose-built property on the Springfield Industrial Estate.

The move, which has already seen productivity rise by almost 50 per cent and has led to new domestic and overseas orders, was supported by the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub.

Simon Lavin, executive director of Artel Rubber, told Phil Peak, an account manager at the Growth Hub, about his plans when they met around a year ago.

And with Phil’s help they managed to secure a £100,000 grant through the Regional Growth Fund 3, managed by Coventry City Council on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, which meant the project could happen. Although this particular fund has now expired, there are several other grant funds currently available.

Simon said: “We’ve reinvested money from the business and we’ve been supported by the bank but we needed more to make the whole project work. Thankfully, Phil and the Growth Hub could see the potential and the ambitions we have and without that money, we couldn’t have made the move.

“The floorspace has nearly doubled here but the big benefit is we are on one site which has improved productivity and efficiency. As well as that, it’s given us a bigger area where we can recycle waste material, which benefits the environment and has also reduced costs.”

The company hand-makes thousands of products each year and exports to Australia, Europe, the USA and China.

“We wanted to move to the next level and we simply couldn’t have done that without moving to a new home,” added Simon. “We have just picked up a new contract in the rail industry overseas and I don’t think we could have gone for it without the move.

“We are now looking at opening further overseas facilities to help us win more work, particularly in the Far East.”

Phil said the CWLEP Growth Hub would continue to support Artel Rubber particularly around skills.

He added: “When you look at the outcomes that the support has achieved, it really has been very positive for the company and for the local economy.

“They’ve taken on more staff, moved into new premises, they’ve become more productive and are now competing for and winning work on a scale that they couldn’t have done before.

“We are delighted to be able to support the company in this way and look forward to working with them in the future.”

 

Pictured: Simon Lavin (Artel Rubber), Phil Peak (CWLEP Growth Hub) and Jacques Commeny (Artel Rubber).

 

 

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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. 

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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