Supporting Manufacturing in the Heart of the South West

14 November 2011

Heritage

2004-2011 - Diversification1997-2004 – HMT launched1981-1996 – The beginning

Supacat Ltd established on ATMP and Glider winch programmes

UK MoD business channelled through Primes (Fairey, Alvis)

Utility vehicle ‘Capability Gap’ recognised – HMT concept

RNLI relationship established based on trailer products

First HMT4x4 order (UK MoD) for 65 won in 2001 with Supacat as Prime Contractor

Wider markets identified and exports achieved – USA, Denmark, Australia

HMT 4x4 taken into UK Regular Army

First Renewable Energy contract

15 Staff £2m Turnover

60 Staff £10m Turnover

100 Staff £20m Turnover

Our Challenges

• Planning for an uncertain future, very lumpy sales (UK and export), resource levels, property requirements

• Competing with large corporates with deeper pockets• High cost of product development• Staying up to date with H&S, Environmental, Bribery &

Corruption, Export, ITAR• Recruiting good engineers• Current Banking environment• Feeling as though non one really cares as much• High cost of trade events

Reflections on UK Government support

Positive

• Good work of Business Link

• More recent good export support

• Good tax relief to support development investment

“Could be improved”

•Clarity of UK industrial support especially in relation to competing for export orders•Better visibility and relevance of grants•Export compliance process

What can the LEP do to help?

Listen – are your experiences the same?

Provide feedback to BIS on areas for national policy improvements

Seek to initiate local responses (Beacon, Skills and training)

Work with local finance to signpost to appropriate finance

Supacat is committed to providing engineering excellence in the region

Supacat wishes to work with partners in achieving its goals

The LEP is the right mechanism to have the voice of the regional manufacturing businesses heard in Westminster

Summary