Northants Business Secures SFIE funding
16/06/2008
Northants business is on the Conveyor Line to success
A Northampton based company is going from strength to strength thanks to a grant from East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
Based in Brackmills Northampton, Conveyor Lines specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke conveyor lines for the food manufacturing industry.
Conveyor Lines initially met with a Business Link advisor, who informed them of funding opportunities and provided them with business advice.
emda provided Conveyor Lines with a Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) grant of £40,000 to assist them with a major capital investment project.
In total, Conveyor Lines has invested £277,000 which has been used to purchase a CNC laser cutting machine; a seven axis CNC Press Brake (for bending metal) and the installation of a mezzanine storage area at their site.
The company, which was set up in 1985, currently employs 14 staff, and has a turnover in excess of £1.7 million, but Ian Goosey, managing director, believes that the new investment will enable the company to improve productivity and grow further.
“The investment we are making will have a big impact upon the business, “said Ian. “It will enable us to fulfil orders more quickly and to enter new markets. There is a big market for our products overseas and this is an area that we will be looking to develop further.”
Ian Goosey anticipates that at least two new jobs will be created immediately and a further five will be safeguarded.
Conveyor Lines has developed a reputation for innovation in its sector. One of their conveyors, the 'FBC', can transport delicate products such as snack foods, frozen or chilled foods, soft fruits and vegetables from a low-level, inclining up and back down again with a special method of product drop-off to prevent any damage.
John O’Reilly, emda’s Business Support Director, believes that there are many other companies in the region which could benefit from an SFIE grant.
“There are a number of businesses, like Conveyor Lines, which need investment in order to take the step to the next level of their development. However, it is not always easy to raise all of the funding required and that is where the SFIE grant comes in. It can help to make a difference and I would encourage all businesses to contact the Business Investment team at emda to find out about the funds that are available to help them.”
For more details about the SFIE grant, visit www.emda.org.uk/sfie
Submitted by Neale Ryan