Enterprise Hub Network - Case History
Isle of Wight Enterprise Hub
Ken Dueck
Enabling Technologies
Company Background
They started out working from their homes but, seven years on, founders David Sibley and Stephen Ashworth have contracts with big names in the aerospace industry. The business was born when the former colleagues saw an opportunity to set up a smaller design house.
Their design and development business, with major clients like Airbus and Boeing, looks at ways of making aircraft as safe and light as possible with a team of highly experienced engineers focusing on structure design and analysis. Through recommending the right lightweight materials, the company improves crucial fuel efficiency for clients in Europe and North America. Enabling Technologies is also involved in research and development projects.
Work with Enterprise Hub
Within their first year of operation, Isle of Wight Enterprise Hub was able to help the fledgling business with accommodation. Enabling Technologies took up a serviced unit at the Innovation Centre, St Cross Business Park, Newport. For a new, small, business this type of unit meant no surprise bills and the opportunity to expand into larger space at the Centre.
Post 9/11, contracting in the aerospace industry became restrictive as security was tightened. Ken Dueck was able to use the Hub network to link up with Farnborough, home of the world famous Airfield, and its aerospace related industry. He promoted Enabling Technologies to boost its profile with potential buyers – “an example of the Network doing what the Network can do best.”
The Hub now provides ongoing help by supplying information about events, funding and government research partnerships.
Commenting on Enabling Technologies work with the Isle of Wight Enterprise Hub, Operations and Commercial Director David Sibley said:
“We chose the Innovation Centre as it was the best business park on the Isle of Wight. Clients can come here and it looks very professional. Most of our clients are from overseas so they can fly into Southampton and get a taxi and a boat. As there is established aerospace business on the Isle of Wight, there are already keys skills here.
"The Hub has also helped with networking. It introduced us to one of the trade organisations in Farnborough and off the back of that we got involved. It is not just one thing – a whole bunch of things have helped.”
According to Ken Dueck, Isle of Wight Enterprise Hub Director:
“Enabling are a good example of how new, knowledge-based companies often spring from more established, larger centres of expertise in a locality. They are also a good example of how success requires the maintenance of strong connections within the supply chain and a track record of being engaged in leading edge developments in one’s sector. Enabling’s success in both of these areas has resulted in recent contracts with Airbus and Rolls Royce worth over 500,000 Euros.”
What’s Next
Enabling Technologies currently has thirteen employees and the company will be looking to recruit another three or four this year. Last year turnover was £650,000 and the team hope this year for it to rise to £1.2million. While continuing work with its major aerospace clients, the company is also looking at diversification. Exciting new development projects include the marine and wind energy sectors.
