Matrix Energy Systems, an industry leading provider of renewable energy solutions, offering an integrated approach to reducing and removing carbon emissions, was searching for support to enhance their growing business.
After a successful four years of winning prestigious awards for their expertise in their industry, Matrix were searching for ways to grow their business further.
They initially approached the Growth Hub to discuss potential funding opportunities and were offered the opportunity for one to one support with a Business Growth Specialist.
Darren Buxton, the Business Growth Specialist, worked with Matrix to support them to work smarter and more efficiently. The business was already growing and turning substantial profits, but were looking for new ways to develop their sales and marketing process.
This intensive one to one is offered to SME’s across the Sheffield City Region by the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project which offers a range of support aimed at high growth companies and is financed by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
Matrix Director Paul Leedham said “Darren helped us identify and profile our current customers and develop ways to target these more effectively. We also looked at the current structure of the business and Darren helped me take a step back and take an overall look of the business.
“He challenged the way we do things and made me think about how we can develop and optimise what we do.”
The Business Growth Specialist helped Matrix focus on the value of their current customer base, identify where their current customers were coming from, and focus their efforts on lead generation.
“We discovered that 90% of our sales were from word of mouth thanks to our awards and reputation. Our focus needed to be how to capitalise on this”.
With Darren’s guidance the business began to forecast, allowing them to plan for the businesses future.
“We now forecast months in advance allowing me to see where we are heading and where I can invest in the business. Forecasting is allowing us to forward plan and be proactive with our business”
Matrix also attended a number of Masterclasses aimed at developing the businesses sales processes and offer practical ideas to drive more revenue.
“The Masterclasses were excellent, and held my interest. They were very beneficial and I can see the value they have to my business.
“Thanks to Darren and the Masterclasses I can clearly focus on what I need to do to grow my business.
“Business owners don’t always get time to focus on their sales and marketing. Working with the Growth Hub has allowed me to focus on this more and absorb other people’s cultures.
“After working with the Business Growth Specialist, we have tripled our turnover and we are set to triple our turnover again at the end of the next financial year.
“My experience with the Growth Hub was easy and seamless. I would not hesitate to contact again in the future now I know they are there to help. I look forward to attending future Masterclasses.”
Thanks to the financial growth Matrix have seen since receiving the support the business is currently recruiting two additional employees to support the new demand. The business is also continuing to work with the Growth Hub to search for grant opportunities to develop their team further.
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, business, create jobs and local community regeneration’s. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.