IoT specialist to create jobs with £500,000 boost
An IoT technology provider which develops health and safety systems for the construction sector is to create jobs and enter new markets after securing £500,000 of investment.
Wearable Link, trading as Plinx, will create seven jobs and invest in product development.
Based out of Malvern Science Park, Plinx is led by CEO and founder Tommy Williams and CTO Stephen Roberts, who have more than 15 years experience in taking products from concept to production, previously working together in the R&D department at Gtech in Worcester.
The Plinx team won the HS2 innovation award in 2020 after trialling the system at Europe’s soon-to-be largest railway station, Old Oak Common. The system was then featured on the BBC OneShow, where Williams demonstrated the performance of the system with help from British Astronaut Sir Tim Peake.
The Plinx safety system has applications in other “grey” sectors such as demolition or mining where strict procedures are followed to ensure safe working within hazardous environments via a series of SmartTAGS named “Plinx Protect” which monitor the location of people and hazards to reduce the likelihood of an accident.
Other technology offerings include “Plinx Connect” which enables better communication for people working on remote construction and “Plinx Affect”, an in-house developed web platform that allows customers to track devices to be more efficient on worksites as well as keeping data for any disputed insurance claims.
The business initially secured a contract with Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM (EFKB) working on the HS2 project and is gaining further traction after successfully completing trials with well known organisations within the construction sector including Balfour Betty, Skanska, Costain and Ferrovial.
Plinx secured the funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, from the West Midlands Debt Finance fund managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”) and backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme.
Williams said: “We are incredibly excited to be working with Maven and the British Business Bank to transform how the construction sector creates and works with data. Our new products will empower our clients to deliver their projects on time and within budget in addition to continuing to enable them to protect their most valuable assets, their people. We are pleased to be able to continue to grow in Worcestershire, bringing more jobs to our Malvern offices and continuing to strengthen our British manufacturing base and supply chain.”
Sajid Sabir, investment manager for Maven, added: “In 2020/21, the UK construction sector had the highest rate of fatal injuries and Plinx has developed an innovative IoT solution to address health and safety in a hazardous working environment. The business has an impressive team that has a wealth of product development experience and has gained strong traction in the market to date. We look forward to working with Tommy and his team to ensure they receive the support they need to successfully scale the business.”
