Looking for Finance?
Need more information?
Advice and Support
Visit Business Link Northwest to access independent advice and guidance on the best support for your business.
Alternatively call
0845 0066 888
to speak to an advisor
Case Study
Marine Systems Technology view
Marine Systems Technology
A research and development grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is helping to reduce the risks of fire on board Royal Navy ships.
Perhaps surprisingly, fire is the most common cause of death at sea. But Marine Systems Technology, based in Winsford, Cheshire, has developed COMFIRE, a non-combustible composite material used in warship design, such as 'wet area systems', doors, lockers and furniture.
The company is benefiting from an £82,000 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) award from the NWDA, which has been used to develop unique, non-combustible hangar doors for aircraft carriers.
John Dower, from Frodsham, formed Marine Systems Technology with his son Andrew and fellow director Alan Hall, specifically to develop a non-combustible composite system for ships, using recycled bottle bank glass.
The company, based at Woodford Park Industrial Estate in Winsford, employs 15 people, and has seen explosive growth in the last four years, with turnover rising more than nine-fold from £164,000 to £1.7 million.
Mr Dower said: "Our whole business is a result of a successful grant award. Without it, we would not have made the invention and would not have had the wherewithal to develop the initial thinking. Let no-one doubt the value to very small businesses of small-scale grants, like GRAND.
"The market for COMFIRE has the potential to be huge. We're already in talks with the Royal Navy about fitting its new aircraft carriers and we hope to secure contracts with other navies."
The company is also looking at the commercial sector, where cruise liners and new-build passenger ships represent potentially lucrative markets for the product.
"Most deaths at sea are caused by fire. New international shipping regulations now mean that newly built or refurbished vessels must use non-combustible fittings," said Mr Dower. "Fortunately for us, the regulations came in at a time when we had developed COMFIRE, which fulfils all of the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements."
Mr Dower found the process of applying for the GRAND award relatively straightforward, and also received valuable application advice from Business Link.
"Broadly speaking, if you have in-house skills with spreadsheets and cashflows, the whole process is simple, although it can be a little daunting at first," he said. "I am happy to help anyone who wishes to try it out, as a way of giving something back to the system which helped us so much."
He also praised Business Link Northwest, which he said had been pivotal in guiding his company through the grant application process and in other areas of business improvement.
"Our adviser worked with us on a number of issues relating to grant applications, banking, business development and research and development tax credits. It's been a real boost to the continued success of Marine Systems Technology," said Mr Dower.
"I would definitely recommend GRAND awards to other
business, and I have done so," he added.
