Member Article

North East makers of life-saving thermal imaging equipment hungry for Scandinavian market

Life-saving thermal imaging equipment produced by a North-East firm is being marketed in Scandinavia, thanks to a European networking organisation that helps regional businesses to build international trade, technology and research links.

Teesside University is lead partner in the Enterprise Europe Network North East and, through its extensive database, has helped Darlington-based Solo TI reach new markets in Sweden.

The Enterprise Europe Network helps European companies to become more competitive and create new jobs by providing international links, using powerful databases that contain thousands of company and technology profiles.

Solo TI manufactures a variety of thermal imaging devices which can be used in applications including search and rescue, firefighting, surveillance, veterinary science and medicine.

Its prestigious clients include NASA, a number of cruise liner companies and several Formula One teams. Solo TI’s thermal imaging cameras are also used on the superyacht belonging to the billionaire owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich.

Solo TI’s Product Director James Brooks, a Teesside University graduate, worked with Enterprise Europe Network to look at new areas where Solo TI’s products could be marketed.

Through the Network database, staff at Teesside University were able to put him in contact with X-innovations, a Swedish company that develops products for the fire service in that country.

A meeting was arranged in Västerås, and X-innovations agreed to act as distribution partners for Solo TI’s products in Sweden.

Mr Brooks said: “Nearly 80% of our sales are overseas and so we’re always looking for new areas to move into.

“The Enterprise Europe Network has really helped to open doors for us.

“It’s been really helpful, especially for a smaller company like ours, which doesn’t have the means to scope new markets.

“It’s like having your own research team without having to fund it.”

The Enterprise Europe Network North East is made up of three partner organisations, Teesside University, the Centre for Process Innovation and Newcastle Science City.

Mike Gilkes, project manager at Teesside University, said: “We’re delighted to have helped Solo TI get a foothold in the Swedish market.

“The Enterprise Europe Network North East is committed to supporting small businesses and look for new ways to help drive growth.”

Enterprise Europe Network is co-financed through the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP, 2007-13), which is an EU funding initiative.

For more information on the Enterprise Europe Network North East, contact 01642-738104.

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