Council calls for local businesses to look into grant support opportunities
A local business based on Skylon Park has been able to expand and take on an additional employee thanks to funding from the Small Equipment Grant Scheme, which is allocated by the council.
Pearson Precision was incorporated in 2000 by Roy Pearson and his son Conrad. The business initially operated from a small unit on Rotherwas servicing the injection mould businesses in Herefordshire and now operates from Skylon Park. Directors Roy, Conrad and grandson Samuel currently offer manufacturing new injection mould tools and modifying and repairing existing tooling and welding/laser engraving.
They work with a number of industry leading companies, some for more than 20 years.
In order to assist their growth they needed to purchase a 200ton trailing injection mould machine as their existing 120ton machine was not able to keep up with demand.
They have been able to purchase this new machine, thanks in part to £10k from the European Regional Development Fund’s Small Equipment Grant. The purchase will enable the company to grow in the manufacturing/production area, help to deliver energy savings and create 1 extra full-time position.
As well as creating new positions the company have been able to take on two apprentices from the local college HWGTA.
Pearson’s have not only expanded the work team, in 2021 they became partners with the new university in Hereford NMITE creating future hands-on experiences through both the class room and site visits for the students.
Conrad Pearson said: “With the demands over the last two years on industry, having this opportunity as a company we believe the business has come out stronger with investments and training. Creating local opportunities has always been our main aim, and we are grateful to be in a position to achieve this.”
Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for Environment and Economy, said: “We are always delighted to see local businesses able to flourish as a result of Small Equipment Grant funding, which is allocated by the council. Pearson Precision will be able to strengthen and expand thanks to this funding, as well as reducing their energy costs, which is good for the environment.”
Pearson also received a further £10k from the ERDF Business Growth Programme, which helped to provide a CNC machine and another full time position.
Cllr Chowns added: “One of our top priorities is to help our local economy rebuild and strengthen following the pandemic, and there is a range of grant support available. If you are a local business, you may be able to apply for funding, so I would encourage any interested businesses to take a look at the full range of support on offer.”
Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available under the programme, which is open to small and medium-sized companies across Herefordshire.
The grant is available as a contribution of up to 50 per cent and primarily covers B2B companies. Items purchased must exceed £500 in value and have a life expectancy of three years. Eligible projects must lead to the creation of at least one part-time job within six months of the creation of a new product or service to be used by other businesses.
Because of restrictions imposed by the ERDF, the scheme is not available to retail businesses, restaurants, drinking establishments and fast food takeaways, online retail or rental businesses, farms involved in primary production, or local social welfare facilities.
For more information on the Small Equipment Grant, call the Programme team on 01432 260787 or 01432 260662.
or visit the web page.
Or businesses can explore the range of funding and grant options available in the county via the Marches Growth Hub Herefordshire which offers free business support to all business MGH Herefordshire - Marches Growth Hub
For more information on Pearson Precision, please visit pearsonprecision.com or call 01432 271928.