Clifton Asset Management

SOUTH WALES FIRM’S NEW GATING SYSTEM HELPS KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE FROM CRIME

Design and Manufacture Ltd. on new growth path after finding innovative funding solution through Clifton Asset Management

A South Wales business is manufacturing a pioneering community gating system which is set to play a key role in the fight against crime.

Merthyr Tydfil-based Design and Manufacture Ltd. devised the “Iron Man” system as a means of keeping out unwanted visitors in back lanes and courtyards in residential areas.

The system has official approval from the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, and according to managing director Phil Corke, is now being installed in several towns across South Wales.

“Unfortunately drug dealing, prostitution, fly tipping and general noise are all major problems in the lanes behind much of the traditional Victorian terraced housing which is common in many areas of the UK,” says Phil, whose company currently turns over around £1 million.

“Iron Man keeps these areas safe from intruders by providing a fixed entry gate which can be opened only by means of a residents‘ key, which is also available to the emergency services.

“We already have a contract to install the system in Barry, and the Port Talbot area is next. In addition we have just appointed an agent for London and the Home Counties and are talking to prospective agents in the North of England, so Iron Man is on the way to going nationwide.

“In addition to Iron Man, we have also been appointed agent for the supply of a new transparent polycarbonate roller shutter door for shop fronts and have received our first order for the new St David‘s shopping centre in Cardiff.”

Recently Design and Manufacture – whose product range also includes structural steel work, cladding and roofing, steel staircases and fire escapes - was able to make an acquisition as well as adding to its payroll for the first time in months, after contacting Clifton Asset Management (CAM), which provides specialist financial and strategic advice to SMEs.

Phil Corke says: “The business was at a point where it desperately needed a major injection of cash and the bank just wasn‘t interested in helping us, despite the fact that I have plenty of equity in the business.

“I was seriously worried that they would withdraw their support and that we would end up going to the wall, like lots of other good businesses. However Robbie Wilson, a consultant at CAM, came to the rescue when he advised us to use our pension fund to buy the Intellectual Property contained in the Iron Man system from the business.

“This released several thousand pounds and has put us right back on track financially. Not only have we just taken on our 17th member of staff, which is the first appointment we‘ve been able to make for some time, but we have also acquired a small health services company called Romac Medical Supplies which will further diversify our product range.”

ENDS 10th November 2009

For further information please contact Neil Fraser, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email neil@sturgessvandamme.co.uk

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