Partner Article

Doorway to success

A Hartlepool door manufacturer is set to grow its workforce after receiving support from local agencies to implement a three-year plan.

Less than four years ago Bridgman IBC was in the hands of the receivers, 17 members of staff had been made redundant and output had fallen by 50% from its peak turnover of more than £6m a year. Now, following a management buyout in 2004 and support from Business Link, new staff have been taken on and productivity is up.

Tony Philips, Sales Director at the newly-named Bridgman IBC Ltd, was one of the four-strong management team which organised the buyout - along with colleagues Mick Butler, Managing Director, Peter Bowes, Operations Director and Neil Scott, Purchasing Director.

He said: “Business link was there for us when times were tough. Its expert advisors were able to identify available funding and helped us secure a £64,000 loan to support us through a challenging first three years.”

Since Bridgman’s reversal of fortunes, the company has started to make links with Hartlepool Chamber of Commerce, Hartlepool Borough Council, Hartlepool College and Teesside Insurance.

Tony said: “The advisors put us in touch with other organisations which provided us with further expert guidance to help us start up, including arranging insurance. Business Link also helped us develop an important relationship with the further education sector, which led us to grow and upskill our business through running 10 two-year apprenticeships - five of those original apprentices are still with us.” Gill Cairns, Business Link Account Manager, said: “We have worked with Bridgman IBC Ltd for a number of years now - providing support both as a start-up and as an established business seeking to grow. It gives me great pleasure to witness their continuing success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .