Member Article

Energy efficiency advisers secure funding for growth

Inteb Managed Services Ltd, which advises companies on how to become more energy efficient, is pushing ahead with expansion plans having secured funding from The North West Fund for Micro Loans, managed by Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF).

Based in Bromborough in Wirral, the company was set up in 2010 by Colin Jones to help businesses devise, implement and manage energy and carbon emissions strategies to increase efficiency and cut costs.

Clients include large corporate organisations from the public and private sector including BlackBerry, Capita, BUPA, NHS and AXA Real Estate, Dignity as well as property investors and management agents.

The Inteb MS team are also helping the owners of the Royal Liver Building to reduce their environmental impacts and save energy.

The MSIF has provided £49,950 from The North West Fund for Micro Loans as part of a package totalling around £95,000 which will be used to provide working capital to enable the business to take on new staff and expand its operations.

The North West Fund for Micro Loans is part of The North West Fund and is financed jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.

Colin Jones said: “I have 26 years’ experience working as a chartered surveyor in sustainable property management, 17 years of which was with the Co-op Group in Manchester where I was responsible for managing energy and facilities management services across their commercial investment portfolio.

“I employ a team of 10 staff with a variety of expertise including energy and environmental specialists, surveyors and engineers.

“We provide plans that are uniquely tailored to each client suggesting how to minimise their energy outputs through new technology and adopting a change in working practices. These changes save businesses money and also reduce impact on the environment.

“We also work with international clients such as BUPA who we advise on their environmental management operations across the globe including Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

The firm’s turnover this year is predicted to be £1.4 million, growing to £15 million during the next five years.

Mr Jones added: “There are some key growth market sectors for us including targeting large owner occupiers including manufacturers, retail and corporate businesses.

“We have already secured two new large customers and we have three others in the pipeline and we need funding to support this growth in particular through growing the team. The finance has already enabled us to take on a new member of staff and we expect to take on a further 10 during the next three years.

“Inteb has developed a specialist smart metering and real time energy data platform which will be backed up by our technical expertise on metering, engineering and new technologies.

“MSIF have been excellent to work with. They are very clear and concise and the funding was turned around very quickly.”

MSIF investment manager Sue Chambers said: “Inteb has already secured lots of large clients and has a proven track record in helping businesses reduce their energy outputs and gained a reputation for transparency and professionalism.

“These results have created lots of opportunities for them. They have very recently secured several new contracts which will generate significant growth for the business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .