News

New Colne manufacturer set to produce jobs

15.04.13

A husband and wife team who recently set up an advanced manufacturing firm in Colne are already looking to grow their business.

Stephen and Kathleen Coates opened Optimill in January 2013, a company that produces and supplies tailored components to other aerospace, automotive and medical companies. Thanks to demand and free business support they will soon recruit some more new staff.

The pair applied for free business support and finance from Regenerate and Pendle Council to help them get started and purchase required machinery that will help their business grow quickly. They received Accelerating Business Growth funding through Regenerate, a programme which is supported by the Regional Growth Fund. They also received support through Regenerate’s Pennine LEAP boot camps, which are delivered by Enterprise4All and Winning Pitch and supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

Stephen said:

“You can’t start a business without putting both effort and finance in. We’ve been working non-stop since June last year to set everything up and it’s now starting to pay off, with orders coming in from all kinds of businesses.”

“Regenerate sourced a grant to help us acquire the two machines that our business can’t do without. The finance was a great help, but their free seminars were even better. Their professional selling workshops have given me the confidence to knock on doors and promote my business and we’ve received orders as a direct result.”

David Wright, Regenerate’s Policy and Performance Manager, said:

“Optimill’s work compliments that of other manufacturers in Lancashire, by providing them with a local option when they require a new component. We help businesses like this across Lancashire that will create jobs and have a significant impact on the local economy”.

Pendle Council supported the competitive grant application sourced by Regenerate and also contributed to start up costs.

Kelly Eardley, Business Support & Development Officer at Pendle Council, said:

“Pendle Council is always keen to support enterprise and we were impressed with Otimill’s thorough business plan and ambition and feel their work will greatly benefit Pendle, offering local people new job opportunities.”

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