Member Article

North East SME development programme creates 170 jobs

A programme established to develop and grow the regions SMEs has engaged with 200 businesses creating 170 jobs – despite not having reached the half way project milestone.

The Business Acceleration for SMEs programme launched its three year programme back in 2012 to assist 400 SMEs from the Northeast develop their sales to the process industry - through a novel three-pronged approached of mentoring, events and workshops.

Delivered by industry cluster NEPIC, the programme supports small to medium sized businesses in the delivery of direct new sales, promotes export opportunities and improves processes to bring new products and services to market.

“We are delighted by the arrival of our 200th company,” commented programme manager, Felix O’Hare. “It reflects the demand and value this programme has to offer SMEs”.

NEPIC chief executive Stan Higgins said: “We have a fascinating portfolio of North East companies on board and have already developed some impressive case studies. The combined efforts of the team, our industry-mentors and the participating SMEs have led to the creation of 170 jobs in eighteen months – if this were a new investor to the region it would be front page news!”

Whilst many agencies are out there chasing the big new foreign direct investment, the answer to our economic development needs may be on our door step. The attraction of a single £100 million investment might bring 100 permanent jobs, however developing our local SMEs has the capability of generating many, many more.

The BASME programme is novel in that it is supported by 120 process industry mentors all of whom have pledged their time in support of the regions SMEs - assisting them in becoming established suppliers to the process sector.

Ian Stark CEO of SME Chemoxy International - a Middlesbrough based speciality chemical company – commented on the support he had received from NEPIC and the BASME programme: “NEPIC have given my business advice on a number of fronts from the support agencies we needed to carry out our management buy-out, to supply chain connections and new business opportunities. NEPIC’s advice and contacts have helped to grow our business by £4 million and create 20 additional jobs.”

If you would like to find out more about BASME, or if you are an SME and you are interested in participating in any of our forthcoming events, please contact the programme manager Felix O’Hare on 01642 442 560 or email felix.ohare@nepic.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by NEPIC .