Collaborate is a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and partner organisations. @CollabforGrowth Manufacturer DPI (UK), based in Castle Donington, make lightboxes and aluminium structures for retail, airport and exhibition use. The business has grown rapidly since its launch three years ago by directors, Sandra Wiggins and Paul Tomlinson. That growth led to an increase in customers which has fed a rise in the number of employees and a move to larger premises. The company has received a grant of £12,253 from Collaborate to help fund the purchase of a new automated twin-headed mitre saw. This new saw enables DPI to cut larger profiles (aluminium panels) and produce larger structures in the UK rather than importing them. It also allows the business to reduce lead times to meet client demand and will lead to the creation of new jobs in the firm’s workshop and sales office. Sandra said: “The business has grown significantly and our current cutting saw was needing more and more maintenance, which caused delays and longer lead times. “The new saw has given us the capacity to not only cover existing workload in the event the old one breaks down, but also for us to produce the larger profile lightboxes and stands in-house, making us much more competitive. It also allows us to double our output as we’ll use the old one for smaller or lightweight operations.” She added: “Without the Collaborate grant we probably wouldn’t have been able to make this investment for another year or two, making us dependent on EU suppliers, less price-competitive and more exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rate. “Last year the business grew by 37% so we’re very grateful for the support at this critical time in our growth.” Eligible businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire can access capital grants from £5,000 to £25,000 for a third of the cost of projects in addition to free sector-specific workshops and one- to-one business advice. Collaborate is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and partner organisations from Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) and the Food and Drink Forum. “Without the Collaborate grant we probably wouldn’t have been able to make this investment for another year or two, making us dependent on EU suppliers, less price-competitive and more exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rate.” Contact Collaborate Businesses interested in Collaborate should visit www.llepbizgateway.co.uk/collaborate and complete a simple enquiry form to access free support Collaborate grant helps DPI achieve rapid growth MANUFACTURING SECTOR Case Study

Collaborate Case Study 1 · 2014-06-16 · make lightboxes and aluminium structures for retail, airport and exhibition use. The business has grown rapidly since its launch three years

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Page 1: Collaborate Case Study 1 · 2014-06-16 · make lightboxes and aluminium structures for retail, airport and exhibition use. The business has grown rapidly since its launch three years

Collaborate is a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and partner organisations.

@CollabforGrowth

Manufacturer DPI (UK), based in Castle Donington, make lightboxes and aluminium structures for retail, airport and exhibition use. The business has grown rapidly since its launch three years ago by directors, Sandra Wiggins and Paul Tomlinson. That growth led to an increase in customers which has fed a rise in the number of employees and a move to larger premises.

The company has received a grant of £12,253 from Collaborate to help fund the purchase of a new automated twin-headed mitre saw. This new saw enables DPI to cut larger profiles (aluminium panels) and produce larger structures in the UK rather than importing them. It also allows the business to reduce lead times to meet client demand and will lead to the creation of new jobs in the firm’s workshop and sales office.

Sandra said: “The business has grown significantly and our current cutting saw was needing more and more maintenance, which caused delays and longer lead times.

“The new saw has given us the capacity to not only cover existing workload in the event the old one breaks down, but also for us to produce the larger profile lightboxes and stands in-house, making us much more competitive. It also allows us to double our output as we’ll use the old one for smaller or lightweight operations.”

She added: “Without the Collaborate grant we probably wouldn’t have been able to make this investment for another year or two, making us dependent on EU suppliers, less price-competitive and more exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rate.

“Last year the business grew by 37% so we’re very grateful for the support at this critical time in our growth.”

Eligible businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire can access capital grants from £5,000 to £25,000 for a third of the cost of projects in addition to free sector-specific workshops and one-to-one business advice.

Collaborate is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and partner organisations from Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) and the Food and Drink Forum.

“Without the Collaborate grant

we probably wouldn’t have

been able to make this investment for

another year or two, making us dependent

on EU suppliers, less price-competitive

and more exposed to fluctuations in the

exchange rate.”

Contact CollaborateBusinesses interested in Collaborate should visit www.llepbizgateway.co.uk/collaborate and complete a simple enquiry form to access free support

Collaborate grant helps DPI achieve rapid growth

MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Case Study