Member Article

Newcastle manufacturer increases turnover by over £100k

Newcastle-based Aquaseal Rubber, is celebrating a hat trick of successes after creating two new jobs, increasing turnover by more than £100k and seeing profitability double, following a grant from Investment for Growth.

The company is a family owned business manufacturing industrial-strength rubber and polymers for a number of sectors including marine, defence, automotive, agricultural and food industries.

In December last year, the team updated its website with the aim of improving the company’s web presence and in turn attract new customers.

Managing director, Jason Armstrong, and his team made the application to Investment to Growth in December 2013, and by March this year, Aquaseal’s application had been approved, with funds being made available three weeks later.

Since the launch of the new website, Aquaseal has enjoyed a steady stream of custom with some fresh orders coming from bigger companies placing larger orders than ever before, especially from businesses operating within the offshore energy sector.

As such, turnover has increased by more than £100,000 and profitability doubled, securing employee’s jobs at Aquaseal as well as creating two further positions with the company.

Jason said: “This time last year we were short on cash flow and just ticking along really – not exactly growing.

“We appointed a web development company to help us refresh our website and they told us about the funding available from Investment for Growth.

“Thanks to the help from Investment for Growth the results of this project are way beyond what we ever expected – we’re delighted.

“I would not hesitate to recommend my advisor to other business owners; in fact, I’ve passed his contact information on to two companies in the local area already.”

Business adviser at Investment for Growth, Colin Bunn, said: “Jason and the team at Aquaseal Rubber are a great example of how the use of an up-to-date website and digital marketing plan can fundamentally change the prospects of a company.

“Aquaseal Rubber is now reaching a much wider audience and this is translating itself into new orders and improved profitability.

“Jason is confident that his business is now better placed to take every advantage of the upturn in the regional economy and will continue to grow – I wish him and his team the very best of luck.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →