Teesside manufacturing startup targets international expansion with 'innovative' growth plans

UK Pods Ltd is entering its next phase of development following growth supported by the Materials Processing Institute (MPI).

The provider of safety equipment, training and consultancy has been based at the MPI since May 2018, which is a Tees Valley research and innovation centre and home to a group of organisations ranging from startups to multi-national organisations.

This includes Liberty Powder Metals Ltd, part of the international steel and industrials Group, Liberty, which, with part-funding from Tees Valley Combined Authority, is establishing the new development facility at the Institute. This facility will be equipped with the latest vacuum induction atomiser to achieve high purity metal powders.

While UK Pods have been resident on the Institute campus it has been able to grow and take on additional training and manufacturing facilities.

Palkesh Crawford, senior clinical skills consultant and joint owner of UK Pods Ltd, said: “When we discovered the Materials Processing Institute, we were delighted to see that its campus could provide us with everything we could hope for in order to continue our business growth and develop our services all under one roof.

“The team at the Institute have been extremely supportive of our aims and objectives and have always made us feel welcome.”

The business is preparing to launch internationally in 2020, having identified the need for more space and move into larger facilities.

Anders Jersby, director of commercial at the Materials Processing Institute, added: “It has been our pleasure to witness and support the success and growth of UK Pods while based at the Institute.

“We set up the SME Technology Centre on the campus, with support from Tees Valley Combined Authority, through the Local Growth Fund to create opportunities for new, innovative and growing businesses to access our facilities, equipment and expertise.”