Funding boosts Radio Design’s expansion

FURTHER expansion is on the horizon for a Yorkshire-based high tech manufacturing business which is developing its work in international markets and has boosted its workforce after receiving a funding injection.

Radio Design in Shipley manufactured the world’s first filter technology to enable network sharing by major telecom companies.

Established in 2007, the company has grown steadily to a staff of 200 with manufacturing facilities in the UK, China, India and Finland.

After identifying a growth area in supplying equipment to wireless communications infrastructure providers, the team needed funding and external support to help its growth and was referred to Rising Stars, a programme jointly delivered by Bradford Council and the Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

“We needed to evolve our offering in a fast moving market and to do this required significant investment in test equipment and more space,” said global operations director Paul Trigg.

“We were experiencing an increase in the volume of work and were reaching full capacity which was creating bottlenecks in service delivery. We knew we needed more floor space, increased workforce and capital equipment funding to help sustain and develop production and output.”

Rising Stars and adviser Haroon Qammar helped Radio Design secure a £10,000 grant.

Mr Trigg said: “The funds contributed to the cost of investment in test equipment and supported our move into larger premises. Significantly, 24 permanent positions were created within the business during the period we received Rising Stars support.

“We are continuing to invest in specialist test equipment to sustain our growth in the wireless communications market are now focusing on the meeting the site sharing demands of major telecoms providers. While further global targets are part of our business strategy, a key part of our growth was supported by resources on our doorstep.”

Carolyn Coleman, business services manager at Rising Stars, said: “Radio Design is developing into overseas markets thanks to its home grown talents.

“As an award-winning designer and manufacturer of equipment for the global wireless infrastructure market, we are delighted the support of our advisers and our access to funding has paid a key part in its development.”