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NWDA support for RFD Beaufort
1st February 2010
A £103,462 Grant for Business Investment (GBI) awarded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) will create 15 jobs at RFD Beaufort Ltd in Birkenhead, securing the long term future of the company.
RFD Beaufort Ltd designs and manufactures a wide range of specialist life saving equipment for the marine, defence and aerospace industries. Key products include life rafts, lifejackets, flight suits for fast jet pilots and submarine escape equipment, as well as a range of immersion and abandonment suits for the shipping, aerospace and off-shore industries.
The company currently employs 157 people and is part of the Survitec group, which has operations in a number of countries including China and Germany. The GBI Award will create an additional 15 jobs.
The GBI grant will ensure RFB Beaufort remains competitive, without the GBI grant there would be a fear that production could be switched to alternative sites in China, where costs are cheaper.
Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Economic Development at the NWDA said:
"It is important that in the current financial climate, England's Northwest is able to demonstrate its expertise within key sectors. Manufacturing is one of the region's major strengths, employing a huge number of people and millions more in the supply chain.
"By supporting RFD Beaufort with a Grant for Business Investment, we are sending an important message to the company's management that the site remains important and production should be maintained and expanded."
Brian Stringer, Group Operations Director of Survitec Group said:
"The GBI grant is welcomed as it will enable RFD Beaufort in Birkenhead to introduce efficiencies within its manufacturing processes and strengthen its position in the marketplace. This has enabled us to bring work to the Birkenhead facility, create jobs and with further lean implementation, secure the long term future for the facility."
GBI is supported by Business Link Northwest's Access to Finance service.
The NWDA is playing a crucial role in response to the current economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the needs of businesses during these challenging times.
To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the NWDA go to www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness
For more information on business support visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
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Notes to editors
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver economic success in England's Northwest by building the competitiveness of its businesses, people and places. Utilising our technical expertise and strategic influence, we help the region's 250,000+ businesses to develop and grow, as well as supporting international trade and encouraging inward investment.
For more information, see www.nwda.co.uk/business
