A Darwen engineering family firm has been given a grant to buy new equipment and create three new jobs including an apprentice. Broadoak Gear Cutting Engineering Ltd, which was set up in October 2010, produces a range of specialist gear components to a variety of industries nationally.
The company was operating with some old machinery and wanted to buy a new CNC lathe which will help their productivity and precision, and grow their business.
The firm applied for a Fuse grant of £13,325 towards the purchase of the equipment.
Fuse Fund is a capital grant scheme that helps new Lancashire businesses finance growth projects, such as machinery acquisition or property improvements, to create additional jobs and local investment. Non repayable grants from £5k to £50k are available.
Fuse is delivered by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire in partnership with Lancashire Business View and is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF).
Regenerate has made successful bids for support from two other RGF rounds, with the Fuse Fund making up £4m of a total £16.5m of grants available to help growing businesses across Lancashire.
Owner Paul Thornber, Director and Business Manager said:
“This grant will enable us to buy the equipment we need and create an additional three jobs, including taking on a new Apprentice Engineer.”
“We also already employ an Apprentice Engineer who will now be able to acquire additional up to date skills by using the new CNC lathe.”
“It is fantastic that as a growing company, we are able to access such support to help us to cope with an increasing demand and create much needed jobs.”
Councillor Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen, said:
“This is exactly what the Fuse programme is for – helping local companies grow and more importantly create more jobs. It is brilliant that they are also able to take on an apprentice and give a young person a chance to earn while they learn.”
