Columnist

Preparing the foundations for growth

A GEOTECHNICAL engineering company has laid the foundations for future growth and is now looking to take on new staff.

Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental Ltd, based in County Durham, provides ground work site investigations to organisations wanting to construct new buildings.

The firm, which currently employs 20 people, has already created one new position and is to create several more thanks to a growing order book and expansion support from Investment for Growth.

Delivered by the Investment Centre, Investment for Growth helps companies by providing finance for development and growth projects and has so far supported more than 350 North East businesses.

Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental Ltd, originally formed in 1966 as Dunelm Drilling, applied for funding support to bring in a business consultant to help them apply for important ISO accreditations.

Company director Ann Izatt-Lowry, said: “We’ve been largely unaffected by the recession but saw that in order to grow we needed to be slicker in how we operated and achieve certain ISO accreditations.

“Applying for the accreditations involved looking at how we could become more environmentally aware which is seen as an essential requirement in order to win work with many public sector organisations.

“We’ve now put into practice much of the advice given to us by the business consultant. Thanks to the support we’ve received from Investment for Growth we’re now winning new contracts across the UK and as a result are looking to recruit more staff.”

The firm received 30 per cent of the funding it needed and found applying for support a quick and easy process.

Ann is optimistic about the future and said: “The whole team has worked hard and we’re now winning business from London to Inverness.

“The cost savings that have resulted from the changes we’ve put in place have made applying for support from the Investment for Growth Fund a worthwhile process. I would certainly recommend others do the same.”

In total £4.9million of investment from the European Regional Development Fund has been made available to support North East businesses.

Kate Ward was the Investment for Growth advisor appointed to support Ann throughout the application process.

Kate said: “Helping Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental with the application process has been very rewarding, especially as the ISO Accreditations will have such a positive impact on the business.”

Grants of up to 40% of the total project value are still available to firms in the NorthEast wanting to put into place business development projects that will secure jobs and help them grow.

Tracey Watson, senior project manager of Investment for Growth, said: “So far Investment for Growth has helped North East businesses with funding in excess of £1.8 million. This funding has boosted the regional economy as well as created and secured jobs.”

Investment for Growth funding is still available to both new and established businesses but funds are limited so the need to apply is urgent.

To be eligible, businesses must be based in the North East and provide a business-to-business product or service.

To find out about Investment for Growth call 0191 426 6408 or email enquiries@investment4growth.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Investment for Growth .