A specialist metals business in Willenhall has won £80,000 Regional Growth Fund (RGF) cash to assist its expansion plans with the help of the Midlands office of national tax, audit and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill.
Guy Morgan, partner at Crowe Clark Whitehill, was helping the directors plan a move into new premises when he realised that an RGF grant was a possibility.
Directors David Smith, Tony Jones and Graham Lloyd were aiming to site Quest 4 Alloys, Millstock Stainless and CK Centreless Grinding in one property and after a long search they located in what is now known as Fusion House, The Crescent, Willenhall.
This has given them both the usable office space and the factory area they required in one 19,000 sq ft building.
Quest 4 Alloys was established in 1991 and together the three businesses supply different alloys, stainless steels and grinding and polishing services to markets throughout the world.
Director David Smith explained that while Quest 4 Alloys, Millstock Stainless and CK Centreless Grinding were three distinct businesses, they were complementary, sharing directors – Mr Smith and Tony Jones are directors of Quest 4 Alloys, while both plus Graham Lloyd are directors of Millstock Stainless and partners in CK Centreless Grinding.
“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.”
The move as also enabled them to expand the range of services the business provides.
Mr Smith explained: “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 that 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.”
Together the businesses provide special stainless steels and nickel alloys in all product forms including bar, plate, sheet and coil with a worldwide customer base that is 40 per cent end users and 60 per cent other stock holders.
Markets served include the marine, nuclear, power and water industries with propeller shafting and laser fusion welded sections and profiles proving particularly fertile growth markets.