Significant contract wins for company set up with support of Business Compass
Redundancy has opened up new opportunities for a chartered engineer, who set up his own business with the help of the Tees Valley Business Compass Start up Programme.
Lynas Engineers, owned by Rob Lynas, who has 20 years' civil engineering experience mainly in highway design and maintenance, traffic engineering and project management, has won several significant contracts since its launch.
Rob, one of four people who lost their jobs when their employer closed its regional office, decided to pursue the self-employed route by forming a civil engineering design consultancy.
With help from Business Compass partners, the Materials Processing Institute and Five Lamps, Rob was given the help and guidance necessary to set up Lynas Engineers, based at the Wilton Centre, near Redcar.
The Business Compass Start Up project supports potential entrepreneurs in Tees Valley looking to start a business and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Employing four staff, Lynas Engineers has been so successful in the few months since it was established that it has had to move into larger offices at the centre.
Lynas Engineers secured its first contract with Belmont Primary School in Guisborough. The project required a review of parking at the school, taking into account the safety of its users. An options report was prepared, which led to detailed design and subsequent project management of revised parking arrangements.
Work has been won from Rob's previous employer, which involved providing support to develop a road infrastructure on a new housing development. This project has been successfully completed and additional contracts to develop road networks and infrastructure improvements for new housing developments are being discussed.
Lynas Engineers also has been working closely with Middlesbrough Council, seconding a member of its team into the highways department. This relationship has continued into the new financial year, with further design work being undertaken by the company.
Dawn Huntrod, a business coach at Materials Processsing Institute, assisted in the development of a business plan focusing on a vision for the business, a realistic approach to financial management, and marketing support. Five Lamps helped with sourcing finance, equipment and finding office space.
Rob Lynas said: "The help and advice I have received from Dawn at The Materials Processing Institute has been invaluable in getting the business off the ground, and it also gave me the confidence that we can grow a successful business.
"The funding received with the support of Five Lamps helped us with start-up costs, as well as allowing us to invest in the IT, critical to the successful running of the business."
Dawn Huntrod said: "Rob is an understated professional in the world of civil engineering, focused on doing an excellent job for the industry. To find himself faced with redundancy was unexpected and this forced him to rethink his future.
"Self-employment was an option and a daunting prospect and one Rob thought he couldn't achieve initially.
"With coaching, Rob embraced the challenges ahead and was able to break down his barriers. He has the ability, combined with a robust business plan that has clear objectives, that will ensure his business will succeed and grow."
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:Â "The achievements of Lynas Engineers demonstrates the value of Tees Valley Business Compass Start Up.
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and entrepreneurs like Rob are to be applauded.  I wish the business every success in the future."
Lynas Engineers continues to develop business relationships with key organisations. The company is an approved suppliers on NEPRO, which procures professional services on behalf of the public sector and is  a member of North East England Chambers of Commerce and the North East of England Process Industry Cluster.
22 June 2017
