Member Article

Radio Design to create 24 jobs as market booms

Shipley-based manufacturers, Radio Design, have grown their workforce to 200 and aim to take on another 24 staff as they report substantial growth.

Radio Design manufactured the world’s first filter technology to enable network sharing by major telecom companies.

After identifying a growth area in supplying equipment to wireless communications infrastructure providers, the team recognised the business needed funding and external support to help its growth and was referred to Rising Stars, a growth programme which is jointly delivered by Bradford Council and the Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

Global operations director Paul Trigg said: “We needed to evolve our offering in a fast moving market and to do this required significant investment in test equipment and more space.

“We were experiencing an increase in the volume of work and were reaching full capacity which was creating bottlenecks in service delivery. We knew we needed more floor space, increased workforce and capital equipment funding to help sustain and develop production and output.”

Radio Design was referred to Rising Stars and Adviser Haroon Qammar carried out a full diagnostic of the business and helped Radio Design secure a £10,000 grant.

Paul continued: “The funds contributed to the cost of investment in test equipment and supported our move into larger premises. Significantly, 24 permanent positions were created within the business during the period we received Rising Stars support.

“Rising Stars offered guidance and funds during a crucial time in our business development. We are continuing to invest in specialist test equipment to sustain our growth in the wireless communications market are now focusing on the meeting the site sharing demands of major telecoms providers.

“While further global targets are part of our business strategy, a key part of our growth was supported by resources on our doorstep.”

Carolyn Coleman, business services manager at Rising Stars, said: “Radio Design is developing into overseas markets thanks to its home grown talents. As an award-winning designer and manufacturer of equipment for the global wireless infrastructure market, we are delighted the support of our advisers and our access to funding has paid a key part in its development.”

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for Employment, Skills and Culture, added: “This is a forward thinking Bradford-based business which is truly at the leading edge of an expanding, international high growth industry.

“Helping a company like Radio Design proves how valuable the Rising Stars scheme is in creating local economic growth and importantly jobs across Bradford.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .