Elecomm originally contacted the Growth Hub in 2017 to find out what support they could gain to help them better target international markets. As a result, throughout the past three years the company, working alongside Andy Sorsby, SCR Growth Hub Business Growth Specialist, has secured multiple grants and received an invaluable level of expert business advice.
This includes a £10,000 marketing grant which has enabled Elecomm to build a strategic marketing plan, carry out a full rebrand and develop a new website. John Hamilton, Supply Chain Director at Elecomm, explains: “At the start of 2020, Andy and the Growth Hub team carried out a strategic review of our business plan and marketing activities. As a result, we found that our brand identity needed updating. Being a multi-disciplined company makes it difficult to explain exactly what we do, and our existing website and branding wasn’t getting the message across clearly enough.”
“We decided it was time to change this and Andy helped us to come up with a plan for the new website and strategic marketing activities and also supported us in securing the funding we needed to put it into action. Alongside this, we have also developed contemporary new branding for the company. This new identity, plus the website, clearly communicates who we are as a business and how we can help our customers through the breadth of our service offering.”
Working with the SCR Growth Hub, Elecomm has also secured funding and support from the Department for International Trade, which has helped cover the cost of creating French and German versions of the new website, multilingual marketing materials, and opened up export potential and global connections for the business.
In addition, the company has also successfully secured Skills Bank support resulting in multiple members of the team taking part in Senior Management Training, enabling Elecomm to promote from within, create new jobs and launch a completely new facilities management division.
John Hamilton comments: “I’m not sure what we were expecting to get out of contacting the Growth Hub team, but I’m so glad we did. Over the past three years everyone has gone above and beyond to help us. The global connections we have made, plus focusing a key part of our rebrand and web development on appealing to international audiences, have been major factors in helping our business survive this unprecedented year. Not only that, but we have secured new clients from across the globe and seen a great level of growth which has enabled us to further upskill our team and expand.”
Andy Sorsby, SCR Growth Hub Business Growth Specialist, comments: “Elecomm is doing a great job of nurturing local talent and flying the flag for the Sheffield City Region internationally. I’m pleased the support we have offered has proven so beneficial, especially this year when we know it has been extremely difficult for many across our region. We are always on hand to help any local businesses that need our guidance.”
Sheffield City Region Growth Hub can offer help to any business that is looking to re-establish or recover after making significant losses due to the Coronavirus lockdown, through its Re-Start to Growth or Re-Start to Growth+ packages. Re-Start to Growth is a free support initiative where businesses have access to experienced and skilled experts to help assess, plan and restart their business through an agreed programme of intensive support. This support comprises two full days with an experienced business consultant, which would be delivered over an agreed time period.
If further help is required after the completion of the Re-Start to Growth initiative, the business could be eligible to access additional support through Re-Start to Growth+ (Plus). This provides a further 2 days of intensive support which would be delivered over an agreed time period (limited to three months).
Visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk for more information or email: growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk.
For details about Elecomm Ltd., visit www.elecomm.co.uk.
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Press enquiries: Marina Wood or Rebecca Hart Tel 0114 3495341 or email marina@dragonflypr.co.uk or rebecca@Dragonflypr.co.uk.
About SCR Growth Hub
The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub exists to help businesses find the best possible business support. And in these unprecedented times, we are working hard to respond to and support South Yorkshire’s businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Growth Hub is open and here to help.
The Growth Hub acts as a ‘gateway’ so that your business can access support when you need it the most and within the shortest timeframe. Our team of specialists offer guidance in the fields of business development and industry support, including innovation, trade and exporting, accessing finance or training.
The Government has announced a number of schemes to help businesses during this challenging time. The Gateway team can provide more detail on each of the schemes and what they mean for you.
We are providing a series of business support updates as they arise and are working with our SCR Response Group and the Local Resilience Forum.
We are doing everything we can to protect our economy, and support jobs and businesses across South Yorkshire during this difficult time.
Please get in touch with us directly by email: growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/covid-19-support-for-businesses/ for updates and further help and support.
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