Willenhall metal companies fund boost!
A specialist metal business has won £80,000 Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to assist its expansion plans.
Director David Smith explained “while Quest 4 Alloys, Millstock Stainless and CK Centreless Grinding were three distinct businesses, they were complementary and shared directors”.
“It made sense for us all to be under one roof, but we had outgrown our former premises in Bilston which was simply not fit for purpose any more,” he said.
‘The three businesses have located to a £1.2 million building and have invested a further £800,000 in machinery and fitting out.’
Mr Smith said: “The move has enabled us to bring all our products and services under one roof and will enable us to grow.
“Since we moved into Fusion House in January, we have created two new sales posts and one grinding job and we are actively looking to appoint a works manager, whether as an in-house promotion or an external appointment.”
Mr Smith said: “Previously we could only handle up to 150mm straightening, polishing and grinding jobs, but with the purchase of a four head belt centreless grinding machine we can now work on bars up to 230mm in diameter and up to 15 metres long. We have also adapted our 300 ton press to give us a double headed press that we believe may be unique in the UK.”
Guy Morgan of Crowe Clark Whitehill said “it was while he was thinking about the funding of the new machinery and its financial
implications that the possibility of the Regional Growth Fund contributing occurred to him.”
“I rang up David, Tony and Graham and outlined the possibility. They were delighted and said ‘Go for it!’”.
He helped them put together the application which has resulted in an £80,000 grant towards the cost of purchasing the grinding machine.
Mr Morgan said: “We have been involved with Quest 4 Alloys and the associated businesses for a long time and it is really pleasing to see them growing and being able to take advantage of funding opportunities like this.”
