Engineering company launches in Coventry after receiving funding help
A new precision engineering company has been set-up in Coventry after receiving a grant to buy a wide range of equipment.
Sebastian Kalek and Bradley Walker, who have vast experience in the sector, have launched SB Precision Engineers in Relton Mews, Eden Street, Edgwick, Coventry.
The business focuses on manufacturing precision machined parts out of different materials including plastics, aluminium and steel to detailed specifications from prototypes to large orders for their customers who are based all over the UK in the automotive, aerospace, medical, oil and gas industries.
They contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub for advice when they were in the early stages of deciding to leave their full-time jobs to set-up their own business.
Laura Delahunty, an account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, referred Sebastian and Bradley to Coventry City Council Investment Fund and they were successful in applying for a grant of £10,717 from the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The grant supported the business to purchase a range of equipment for their machine shop floor in their new commercial premises ranging from work benches and a compressor to component measurements and a pallet truck.
Bradley said: “We spotted a gap in the market for this type of engineering because it isn’t as popular as it once was, particularly with the younger generation, but we felt there were plenty of opportunities available since the technology is developing all the time,” he said.
“Sebastian and I have worked in this sector for a long time and we thought if we combined our skills, we could create a special business.
“The Growth Hub has been particularly helpful in providing information about assistance with funding and communicating with Coventry City Council.
“We have also used one of the Growth Hub’s platforms, FinditinCW, to access different tender opportunities that were available in our industry that we weren’t aware of which has been really useful.
“The funding means we have been able to buy a number of different machines and we are looking to progress and buy lathe and turning machines later this year so the future is bright.”
Laura Delahunty, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said SB Precision Engineers had started their business in a sensible manner.
“When entrepreneurs have a great idea for a business they can sometimes try to run before they can walk but Sebastian and Bradley have thought everything through and sought expert advice over a 12-month period before taking the plunge,” she said.
“This meant we were able to provide assistance with gaining a grant which has been instrumental in buying the equipment they needed and orders are now starting to regularly come in.
“They are really positive about the future and the impact of the Growth Hub which is great because we are here to provide this kind of assistance in all sectors.”
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “It’s always great to hear about another business flourishing thanks to the support offered by the Growth Hub. Businesses like SB Precision Engineers can and should take advantage of the help on offer, whether that’s support in securing grant funding or advice on greener business practices, there is a lot of support available.
“It has been a challenging couple of years for many businesses, but businesses investing and growing is both good news for local people, since it creates job opportunities, and good news for the local economy too.”
Caption: From the left, Bradley Walker (SB Precision Engineers), Sebastian Kalek (SB Precision Engineers), Richard Middleton (Coventry City Council), Laura Delahunty (CWLEP Growth Hub) and Magdalena Kalek (SB Precision Engineers)
