Member Article

Let’s Grow funding helps Durham manufacturer EOS create new jobs

A successful bid for £110k worth of Let’s Grow funding has enabled Durham-based EOS Facades to create new jobs, expand its product range and win new clients.

The manufacturing business was approved for the grant in February last year as part of a £500k project to pay for two new machines, take on eight staff more staff and safeguard five jobs.

Since then, the firm has bought one of the machines, created seven jobs and is working with a wider client base thanks to the injection of funding.

EOS works with construction customers across the UK, providing specialist light gauge steel profiles for construction. Its main products are ‘stud and track’ secondary steel infill and steel frames used by modular building manufacturers.

The company, whose products are used across education, healthcare, commercial, residential and mixed use developments, now has the only FRAMA 8800 machine in the UK offering a greater choice of steel sections to its clients.

EOS Finance Director, Neil Teesdale, said: “We’ve drawn down £72k0 from the grant to help finance the new machine, which was required to expand our product range. Without the grant, we may not have had the confidence to proceed with the purchase.

“In the past we have been forced to walk away from projects, or subcontract works to our competitors. The new section sizes have allowed us to quote to a much wider marketplace.

“We are attracting new customers and our turnover is increasing, the extra capacity created by the new machine will allow this growth to continue.”

Let’s Grow funding, which is administered by the BE Group in partnership with UNW and The Journal and Evening Gazette, supports SME growth and job creation in the North East.

Neville Bearpark, who leads the UNW grants team, added: “Let’s Grow is designed to help businesses fund job creation projects and finance new equipment they would otherwise struggle to afford.

“EOS Facades is a superb example of how the funding can help a business reach the next level, increase its order book and win new customers. The company has created jobs and is on course to add further members of staff.

“We wish EOS every success in the future and have enjoyed supporting the business during this exciting period of growth.”

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