Beakbane Ltd, an innovative manufacturing company located in Kidderminster, has recently grown thanks to their investment and funding from the Worcestershire Expansion Programme.

Left to Right: Mike Southwell, Managing Director of Beakbane Ltd., Cllr Simon Geraghty Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure and Glyn Turner, Engineering Manager of Beakbane Ltd.

The Worcestershire Expansion Programme, which is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and delivered locally by Worcestershire County Council on behalf of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, was put in place to enable local companies to realise their growth potential, strengthen their position in the market and lever in private investment, safeguard jobs and to increase productivity and growth.

The Kidderminster-based company specialise in designing and supplying specialist products for the protection of machinery and other equipment, with a customer base of over 1,000 customers.

With Beakbane Ltd. currently exporting to Europe and the USA, the company sought the grant to increase competitiveness on a global level and further develop productivity. Beakbane invested £69,940, which was matched by the Worcestershire Expansion Programme, to purchase new and more-efficient high technology manufacturing machinery, as well as increase operator training and development.

Beakbane have been able to enhance and develop their manufacturing process, improving efficiency and reducing waste which also benefits the environment. Five new positions have been created, safeguarding six other jobs as well as allowing the company to further expand its ongoing apprenticeship scheme and promotion of engineering at its local Baxter College in Kidderminster.

Managing Director of Beakbane Ltd., Mike Southwell, said: “Gaining this funding through the Worcestershire Expansion scheme has allowed us to bring forward new investment and resulting planned growth. The certainty of the investment has already allowed us to secure new business and recruit new employees. The Worcester team have been very supportive.”

Gary Woodman, Executive Director of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, added:“Advanced Manufacturing is one of Worcestershire’s priority growth sectors. I am, therefore, delighted that the Worcestershire Expansion Programme has enabled Beakbane Ltd. to expand and compete further on a global level. It is also good news that this investment has allowed the company to create and safeguard jobs as well as develop the younger workforce through apprentices and their relationship with Baxter College which is also to be applauded.”

Cllr Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure, added: “This is a great example of the Worcestershire Expansion Programme in action, supporting the growth of businesses in the county. It is part of our wider Open For Business priority to support the local economy and create new jobs, just as Beakbane Ltd. has been able to do thanks to this funding.“

The Worcestershire Expansion Programme overall has seen £2,265,892 invested levering £13,789,205 from the private sector. The programme will safeguard 103 existing jobs and created 240 new positions.

For further information on how other businesses have benefitted from the Worcestershire Expansion Programme, please visit www.business-central.co.uk/wep