Engineering boss invents new connectivity platform to help business growth within Sheffield City Region

An engineering boss has invented new connectivity platform for companies to do business together and keep work within the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

IntraSale, an online business referral platform, has been a decade in the planning for Vince Middleton OBE.

As managing director of Newburgh Engineering, a manufacturer of precision engineering components and assemblies based in Rotherham, Vince rarely had time to network or make connections via the thousands of business cards he had amassed over the years.

When he wanted to find a specialist for a job, he had to look through all the collected business cards or call contacts for recommendations.

Vince said that he realised there was a better way, and therefore developed IntraSale as a members-only referral and recommendation tool with the aim of helping businesses flourish.

Two other SCR business names have backed the scheme with personal endorsements. Professor Keith Ridgway, founder and executive chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Rotherham, and Alan Lyons, founder of networking group Lyons Den, have invited hundreds of their contacts to join.

Vince explained: “IntraSale members don’t sell themselves or tout for work; via the site they put forward the best people they know to contacts who have a job they need doing.

“If a client needs a service I can’t deliver, why not recommend them to the likes of Forgemasters? It gets me credibility, solves a customer’s problem and brings business to the SCR.”

IntraSale’s initial aim is to boost business growth within the region, but Vince anticipates referrals amounting to over £1bn within the first five years. He also believes the site can go global and eventually rival LinkedIn.

Since the soft launch in April, over 230 businesses have signed up, including universities, property developers, accountants, lawyers, engineering companies, surveyors, a print shop, painter and decorator and a beauty company.

Vince added: “My sector is engineering and manufacturing but this platform is for anyone in business. We want tradespeople and professional services, digital and creative industries to benefit too.”

IntraSale has used the platform’s Call Out section to find endorsements for a design company for its marketing banners and a PR team.

Vince revealed that he originally wanted to create IntraSale in printed form and in 2008 he approached regional authorities and business support organisations, to no avail. The scheme was postponed until he met software developer Sean Maloney.

Vince said: “Sean worked with us at Newburgh to develop our integrated management system and I realised he was the man to take my idea online.”

Sean developed the software and interactive platform and is still involved with the running of IntraSale while also heading up his own startup, Tower DMS.

IntraSale membership fees will be invested into job creation and further software development. Sheffield Hallam graduate Felix Barr is in place as business development manager, whilst a graduate systems manager and a digital marketeer are being sought.