CEME Innovation Centre reports growth in manufacturing entrepreneurs
Manufacturing and Engineering startup base records best results in 10 year history.
CEME Innovation Centre has unveiled annual results detailing the most successful year in its ten year history, with 45 small businesses located in the Centre during 2012..
The Dagenham centre - which provides provides high specification premises, development facilities and business support to high-growth companies engaged in or supporting the manufacturing and engineering sectors - has reported its busiest year since launching in 2003. A further 22 virtual tenants currently use the centre as a launch platform.
“This is an exciting time for the UK manufacturing sector, with an explosion of dynamic, innovative new companies entering the space to breathe new life into the industry. The ingenuity, purpose and expertise displayed by some of the startups we support has been breathtaking, and, the prognosis for British industry is extremely encouraging,” said Ross Clark of Oxford Innovation (London), the company that manages the CEME Innovation Centre.
Of the small businesses supported by the centre during 2012, seven recorded significant growth - increasing their space within the Centre as employment and sales escalated - with a further three moving to independent premises within neighbouring Havering Borough following the completion of their incubation cycle. Six vocational and industrial training businesses are also located within the facility, with a further 22 early stage businesses having virtual tenancies.
Highlights from 2012 included the Electricity Alliance taking up space for an energy related project, while Albatrans, Protecta and ESI, amongst others, all enjoyed sales and employment growth. Innovative startup Squease - enjoyed flexible access to CEME’s range of rapid prototyping equipment – also saw its prototype device for autism sufferers go on sale for the first time.
Squease engineer and co-founder Andy Brand commented: ‘’We have just launched our first product - a therapeutic garment for people with sensory difficulties- which was given a real boost by the services at CEME Innovation Centre. We have been very fortunate to benefit from management training sessions, meeting other start-up enterprises and having access to workshop facilities at the centre, as well as receiving advice on raising capital and daily support from the team. Without hesitation, I recommend CEME Innovation Centre to entrepreneurs looking for a place from which to grow their business."
The CEME Innovation Centre also expanded its network of expert partners, which provides tenants with specialist business support, and help developing new joint initiatives. The network now includes a leading IP legal company, several investors, branding agents, accountants, HR professionals, PR consultants and a group of sales & marketing specialists, together with a number of Universities and the High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute..
Supplementing this support network, the Centre introduced a new events programme designed to equip early stage enterprises supporting and enabling manufacturing and engineering sectors with the knowledge required to develop their businesses.
Joseph Nnodim of Incyyte, a digital startup focusing on the social media space, said: ‘’ We are very impressed and extremely grateful for the proactive level of interest and support that the Innovation Centre has provided. Being able to access expertise on funding, sales & marketing and networking has been of tremendous value to us.’’
Suresh Kumar, Avenir’s CEO, comments: ‘‘Since our move to CEME, we’ve become more professional in what we’re doing and our clients have commented really positively about our new premises. The CEME team are helpful and always make big efforts to offer business support as well as create opportunities like networking, seminars and referrals. All these factors have made a significant impact on our business. Today, our presence is raised from two countries to six countries and our plan is to break into the European and American markets within the next two years.‘’
Iain Bruce
iain@dpr-i.com
0207 305 5050
About CEME Innovation Centre
CEME Innovation Centre provides a perfect base for start up or early stage companies within the technology sector. With a core focus on sustainable technologies, advanced manufacturing and knowledge led business sectors with specific targets, the modern building provides professional serviced offices along with a range of business support services designed to deliver skills enhancement, new business creation, inward investment and growth.
About Oxford Innovation
Oxford Innovation is a leading operator of business and innovation centres that provide office and laboratory space to companies throughout the UK. The company also provides innovation services to entrepreneurs, including business planning advice, coaching and mentoring.
Oxford Innovation also manages three highly successful investment networks that link investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding from £20,000 to £2m. During the last five years, the investment networks have helped over 90 companies raise £19.5m. For more information: www.oxin.co.uk
Oxford Innovation is part of SQW Group. Other divisions and associated companies include SQW, a leading provider of research, analysis and advice on sustainable economic and social development solutions to the public and private sectors, and SQW China, which operates from Hong Kong providing economic and management consultancy services to China and the international market. For more information: www.sqwgroup.com
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