Investment for Solihull business has positive impact on business and environment
Published on Tuesday, 02 October 2018
Wattrus has invested in new machinery, which will enable them to increase productivity and performance, while scaling down the industry’s carbon footprint, with the help of a Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme. They are investing in new technology which will result in a reduction in wastage, increasing performance and efficiency.
The company has also installed the latest LED lighting throughout their new production facility, following their expansion into new premises on Highlands Road in Cranmore. They were awarded £50,000 funding to support this from the European Regional Development Fund’s BGP – a programme designed for SMEs ready to invest, grow and create jobs.
Based in the heart of the West Midlands since the mid-1980’s, Wattrus install curtains and soft furnishings across a wide variety of commercial environments, creating appealing spaces within hotels, holiday accommodation, leisure parks, care homes, residential developments and show-homes throughout the UK and overseas.
Andrew Wattrus, Managing Director at Wattrus, says:
“This is a really big step, we’re one of the first companies in the UK to install the new machinery which is part of an ongoing investment programme, currently valued at around €650,000. The machinery has enabled us to increase volume of production, plus have less impact on the environment.
“We’re dedicated to being green and our funding and investment really is just the start. The grant has also come at the perfect time with the business relocating two sites into one HQ facility on Highlands Road, in Cranmore.”
Councillor Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Managed Growth at Solihull Council said:
“Supporting businesses in Solihull is very important to the Council since they are the lifeblood of our local economy. Securing the grant has enabled Wattrus Group to make a real difference to their business as well as the environment. We’re very much looking forward to supporting the growth of SMEs through this initiative.”
Wattrus Group employs over 60 people and provides a diverse range of services for interior designers, architects and developers seeking to create inspirational and practical interiors. Clients include the Four Seasons Hotel, Grosvenor Hotel, The Savoy and Showhome Interior Designers. Accessing the BGP has enabled them to create eight new jobs.
The Business Growth Programme is a £33 million business support programme designed to strengthen supply chains, stimulate innovation and grow existing small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Birmingham City Council, the BGP builds on the successful delivery of the Business Development Programme, the Business Innovation Programme and the Green Bridge Supply Chain Programme.
For more information about the programme please visit
https://www.solihullforsuccess.com/locate-your-business/support-and-finance
For full eligibility criteria contact Solihull Council’s Business Support team on 0121 704 6151 or 6920 or email business@solihull.gov.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The Business Growth Programme is receiving up to £16.3m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
