Rotherham company is first to benefit from new business development programme for South Yorkshire

Citation

(2007), "Rotherham company is first to benefit from new business development programme for South Yorkshire", Circuit World, Vol. 33 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2007.21733aab.008

Rotherham company is first to benefit from new business development programme for South Yorkshire

Rotherham company is first to benefit from new business development programme for South Yorkshire

Rotherham-based CPI Electronics is celebrating becoming the first company to benefit from a new business development programme for South Yorkshire which will help the company grow its client base and create more jobs.

The scheme has been established by Electronics Yorkshire, the only UK regional organisation with industry- focused resources dedicated to developing the electronics sector. Finance for the new initiative has come through Objective One funding from the European Regional Development Fund and made available to Electronics Yorkshire by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Recent expansion has seen CPI Electronics invest nearly £600,000 in premises and equipment at its new manufacturing site on Rotherham's Centurion Business Park. Its main areas of activity lie in contract build work for the tobacco industry; general electronics contract work and research and development services including all aspects of the electronic product design cycle.

Founded in 1996 and now employing 19 staff, CPI Electronics has enjoyed growth of 44 per cent in the last 12 months and is looking forward to the future with confidence. Managing Director Paul Ironmonger said, “Opening our new manufacturing centre was stage one of a planned expansion programme and in 2007 we will be adding further capacity and taking on more manufacturing staff. The Electronics Yorkshire support initiative will be invaluable as we seek to expand our customer base and range of products and services.”

Leading Electronics Yorkshire's new incentive towards growth and excellence in the sector is Allan Row, newly appointed Business Development Officer for South Yorkshire. He said, “The aim of the initiative is to encourage the business development and improvement of electronics companies in South Yorkshire through funding and support from Electronics Yorkshire's technical centre and support resources.”

CPI Electronics has its foundations in first class electronic product design, specialising in many diverse industries and has established itself as a leading supplier of advanced fluid control equipment to the tobacco industry. Its general contract work includes the manufacture of both conventional and surface mount technology PCBs to the highest standards and can accommodate all the latest devices including 01005, 0.3mm pitch, BGA and CSP. Cable assembly, box build assembly, materials procurement and handling together with a full test and inspection service ensures products are delivered on time and in specification. For further information, visit the web site: www.cpielectronics.com

The management team includes Terry Barker (Production Manager) and Wayne Carroll (Business Development Manager) who have assisted in the implementation of the new manufacturing facility and who between them have many years of electronic production expertise.

The company became a member of Electronics Yorkshire 12 months ago. Paul Ironmonger said, “It has been an extremely worthwhile exercise. Initially, we were very impressed with the equipment and services on offer to their members. Now, a year on, we have benefited from their expertise in training, equipment selection, grant assistance and general advice. They are extremely proactive and have a very pragmatic approach. We have an excellent working relationship with them and Electronics Yorkshire forms an integral part of our future plans.”

The business development programme for South Yorkshire is an extension of the acclaimed work Electronics Yorkshire has carried out throughout Yorkshire and Humber since its inception in 2004. Based in Leeds, it is one of only three UK organisations accredited to offer training to international IPC standards. It has already created a network membership of over 400 electronics businesses and has notched up over 1,400 student training days in a wide range of electronics skills. In addition, it is increasingly attracting client companies from outside the region which have learned of its expertise by recommendation or through its web site: www.electronicsyorkshire.org.uk

Electronics Yorkshire's Network Manager Andy Lee added, “Our job is to support the growth of electronics companies and we are extremely pleased to have been able to assist in the expansion of CPI Electronics through our new business development programme. This will mean not only creating new jobs in South Yorkshire but also increasing the manufacturing base and attracting new business into the area.”

Figure 2 Electronics Yorkshire's Network Manager Andy Lee (right) is pictured with Paul Ironmonger, Managing Director of CPI Electronics at the company's new manufacturing premises in Rotherham

Electronics Yorkshire is supported by Yorkshire Forward, European Union ERDF, ESF and the Learning and Skills Council (Figure 2).