Innovation centre welcomes new businesses

The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC) in Huddersfield has welcomed new businesses from a range of sectors including packaging, property finance, vet diagnostics and formulation testing.

Urolith, ECO PACK, Crafted and the Charlesworth Family Group have taken offices and labs at the 3M BIC leaving only a few remaining spaces at the centre, a subsidiary of the University of Huddersfield.

Urolith Diagnostics is a start-up aiming to improve pet healthcare by accurately detecting the composition of kidney and bladder stones in animals using state-of-the-art spectrometry. The data can be used by vets to determine the best treatment for the pets.

ECO PACK specialises in developing and commercialising sustainable packaging solutions for Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical companies that supply to major FMCG retailers.

Part of the 2M Group of Companies, Crafted works with personal care start-ups as well as established brands to help them realise their brand ambitions, from creating new products, upscaling a successful and growing line or expanding a range.

The Charlesworth family has been in business in Huddersfield since 1928. It became the Charlesworth Family Group following the sale of its printing company in 2010 and publishing division in 2015. The Group initially formed as a vehicle for property investment, but soon branched into investing and providing finance and services for small businesses. It has worked across several industries and countries for over 20 years.

3M BIC chief executive Sue Cooke, said, “It’s fantastic to see innovative businesses becoming part of our community, many of which benefit greatly from our in-house facilities and access to the University of Huddersfield for recruitment and knowledge exchange opportunities.

“They are all from very different sectors and at different stages of growth, so we are looking forward to supporting the businesses to thrive over the coming months and years.”

Martin Leeming, managing director of ECO PACK, said: “As we scale up, we need to have the right infrastructure in place to deliver the projects we already have and to recruit the talent that we need. Access to 3D printing and the expertise available from the Engineering and Business functions at the University of Huddersfield is the perfect way for us to leverage our own in-house design expertise and provide challenging and rewarding projects to students.”