SBD Apparel, which manufactures premium supports and clothing worn by elite strength and fitness athletes across the world, sought help from RiDO, a partner of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project, after deciding to move its offices and warehouses away from London and closer to its main factory in Rotherham.
The Enhancement Project is financed by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
“We were unsure where to base ourselves and what the pros and cons of different areas would be”, CEO Benjamin Banks said.
“But Key Account Manager, John Fox, at RiDO took time to fully understand our business needs and gave us expert advice, explaining all about the incentives available from moving to an Enterprise Zone, too.”
The information led SBD to decide to relocate to the Advanced Manufacturing Park, where it could benefit from Enterprise Zone Status giving business rates relief.
RiDO then provided support to help SBD relocate staff from London to South Yorkshire and hire new employees to expand the business.
The move has seen growth from four employees to 41 and a 160 percent increase in turnover – impressive results in anyone’s book.
Benjamin said: “Our move to the AMP has paid dividends for us, with Enterprise Zone Status and obviously our expansion and increased turnover.
“We have also won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise since relocating, and RiDO’s help has put us in touch with several local contacts.
“RiDO’s support was invaluable in securing our location at the AMP and the advice from its team has enabled us to focus our attention on priority aspects of the business as we continue to grow.”
The Enhancement Project provides businesses with intensive one-to-one support from a Key Account Manager and access to free Masterclasses delivered by private sector experts.
The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project is receiving up to £2.7m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.