The New Anglia Growth Hub continues its work to support new and existing businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk by providing a clear path to business support, with easier access to sources of funding, grants and expert advice.
The hub marked their first anniversary with a reception at the Anglia Farmers pavilion at the Royal Norfolk Show in July. (Pictured: Clarke Willis, Chief Executive of Anglia Farmers with Mark Pendlington, Chairman of the New Anglia LEP).
A number of Norfolk Chamber members have enlisted the guidance of the Hub’s ten business growth advisers and they include Howarth Engineering Ltd based on the Rackheath Industrial Estate. The company has over 40 years’ experience making components for the telecoms, marine, automotive and power generation sectors and the company specialises in CNC milling and turning services.
They have been Chamber members since February 2008 and have attended informative training and networking events and exhibited at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s B2B exhibition in 2014 and will be returning this year.
Stella Rice, business growth adviser covering North Suffolk and South Norfolk met with Karen Plummer, Business Development Manager at the company, to discuss their business expansion plans and the many different types of support the Hub could offer with these.
They already have three apprentices in place and are now exploring how the Employer Training Incentive Pilot (ETIP) may be able to help with the costs of several training projects. ETIP is a joint venture between Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce to incentivise non-mandatory training by offering 25% money back up to £1,000 per employee. The business must be a small or medium enterprise, the learner must be over 19 years of age and the grant can cover non-accredited training.
Stella has also pointed Howarth Engineering in the direction of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) as they will be expanding into an additional manufacturing unit. MAS offer support via their specialist consultants to businesses with the potential to improve and grow. They will be helping the company with their new processes, layout and systems for the additional manufacturing unit.
Karen commented: “This is an exciting time for Howarth Engineering, I would like to thank Broadland District Council Economic Regeneration Team, New Anglia Growth Hub, the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and MAS for all of their help and advice as we are able to implement our vision of expanding in a more efficient and effective way. The funding will allow us to accelerate our plans faster than we could on our own.”
Stella added: “For a long established family business, Howarth Engineering has an exceptionally clear vision of where their future lies. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to assist and support them to fulfil their exciting growth plans.”
