Research and Innovation Centre provides launch pad for company growth
UK Pods Ltd, a provider of safety equipment, training and consultancy to a range of industries from healthcare to education services, is entering its next phase of development following its rapid growth, which has been supported by the Materials Processing Institute, where it has been based since May 2018.
The Materials Processing Institute, a Tees Valley-based research and innovation centre, is home to an expanding group of organisations ranging from start-up businesses 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 Materials Processing Institute has become a home away from home for all of the UK Pods team however, as our business prepares itself ahead of the launch of its 2020 international growth plans we have identified that we need even more space and it’s now time to move to even larger facilities on a new site based on Skippers Lane Industrial Estate.”
Anders Jersby, Director, 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.
“UK Pods is a perfect example of how this type of partnership can benefit businesses in the region. We wish UK Pods every success as it moves on to the next phase of its development and the Institute will continue to support and advise the business as appropriate”.
16 September 2019
