Jobs and bigger home thanks to grant

The business has moved from 2,500 sq ft premises in Cradley Heath to 24,000 sq ft in Kingswinford and there has also been investment in state-of-the-art machinery enabling the creation of 10 new jobs.

The independent commercial financial services provider sourced the six-figure grant package through Birmingham City Council's ERDF programme for the Black Country-based business to expand, invest in new machinery, increase output time and maximise turnover.

The move has secured the future of RP Technologies as well as bringing additional jobs to the area.

RP Technologies formed in 2005 in Kingswinford with equal partners Darren Withers and Brett Mitchell at the helm. Clients include luxury automotive brands such as Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover and RP operates globally working in other sectors including aerospace, medical and electronics.

The business provides aluminium tooling and plastic injection moulded components but, after 10 successful years in their former premises, it was time to step up to increasing demands and expand their business.

Darren Withers, the managing director, said: "Working globally with a number of luxury and household brands, it is imperative we continuously innovate our manufacturing processes to maintain and increase the level of quality we are known for.

"To do that, consistent investment in both infrastructure and personnel is key. With the support of Alison Bradley at Central Finance, our aims to grow our business with the expansion of our premises, state-of-the-art machinery and more staff will come to fruition with marginal cost to the business thanks to grant funding.

"Finding the right grant funding for this investment was key to our future growth and we couldn't do it alone. Our aims were and are ambitious, and we wanted to work with someone who could achieve our capital requirements both swiftly and efficiently.

"It was clear after meeting Alison, who has years of experience working with manufacturers to achieve both grant funding and other business finance that Central Finance would help us achieve our goals and invest in our future."

Alison Bradley, managing director at Central Finance, said: "Having worked with thousands of businesses like RP Technologies over the years, my colleagues and I have built up a great level of understanding of the complexities of attaining grant funding, especially at this level. Accessing Grant funding can be complex, time consuming with sometimes a negative outcome, but our experienced team understand the market very well and achieving this six figure grant package is testament to our knowledge of the sector and our understanding of the funding criteria often put in place."

Mr Mitchell said: "Central Finance took the time to understand our business and our financial history, where we wanted to be, what we wanted to achieve and provided a full review of funding options available. Their 100 per cent track record in grant application funding and their ability to cut through the red tape, take away the late nights and most of all the headache of form filling has provided a sustainable, positive outlook for the future of the business and our employees."

Central Finance, supported more than 300 businesses in 2014 and raised more than £30 million in grants and commercial finance, driving significant growth for their respective clients and creating in excess of 200 jobs for the region.