Funding sees inventor take business to the next level

A MANUFACTURER headed up by a renowned inventor of lifting technology is to expand its facilities and create jobs after securing financial backing from the Business Enterprise Fund.

Led by serial inventor Stephen Weston, Bradford-based Weston Handling Consultancy specialises in modifying manufacturing equipment for efficiency.

The company has seen success in the paper industry and has launched a range of British built Stacker trucks, designed for paper roll and materials handling applications.

Thanks to a £50,000 loan from business lenders BEF, plans are now place to move all manufacturing to the Bradford workshop in Fieldhead Business Park where 30 reel handling trucks will be made each year. Five full time jobs will also be created.

Since receiving its funding, Weston Handling Consultancy has secured sales to adhesive and packaging company 3M in the USA and has plans to grow the business overseas due to sales of his bespoke products increasing internationally.  

This year also sees Mr Weston take part in Voom 2016 to pitch his revolutionary seatbelt harness for pregnant women to Richard Branson.

Mr Weston said: “Around 52% of our clients are from overseas so we needed to increase our warehouse space to provide a facility where we can add the finishing touches to the trucks, test them and showcase our machines to potential customers.

“Our business is based around efficiency, with our homogenised designed trucks allowing larger loads to be carried, which thanks to BEF are now built and distributed quicker than ever before. This loan was instrumental to taking our manufacturing process to the next level.”

Stephen Waud, chief executive at BEF, which has offices in Bradford, Leeds, York and Darlington, said: “We take pride in supporting fellow Bradford businesses and Stephen has brought innovation to the next level with this business.  To see such a successful, innovative company develop from our region and grow on a worldwide basis is fantastic.”