The head of Wales’ leading support agency for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - is urging more companies in north Wales to use its services and expertise to achieve their true potential.

 

Phil Cooper, Chief Executive, of Venture Wales, which helps over 1,000 companies across Wales every year to achieve their goals, says while the Agency has a strong presence in the north, it wants to encourage more businesses there to make use of its knowledge, skills, facilities and expert advisers.

 

Mr Cooper, said: “We have one of the best business support networks in Wales and a variety of start-up programmes and consultancy schemes aimed at improving companies’ performance.

 

“Venture Wales specialise in helping SMEs overcome a wide-variety of business challenges and achieve their full growth potential. We have a Wales-wide network of highly trained advisers who have a strong track record supporting firms across Wales, including north Wales.”

 

Venture Wales has assisted many north Wales firms through its offices in Wrexham, Bangor, and St Asaph. Venture Wales’ Brian Colley, head of north Wales operations, and Maldwyn Jones, north Wales regional manager, have played a key role in the effective delivery of the Agency’s services in the region - including supporting two successful Flintshire-based companies, AGS Security Systems and Vannplastic.

 

Based in Mold, AGS provides CCTV systems, intruder alarms, fire alarms and other security apparatus to clients as diverse as Moneysupermarket.com and Chester Zoo.

 

The company has bucked the global economic downturn achieving significant growth - first quarter turnover for 2009 is up 10% compared to the same time last year. Between 2006 and 2008, the company’s turnover increased by 55%, with its profits rising to match.

 

Jonathan Turner bought AGS in 2006, knowing he could use his sales and marketing expertise in telecommunications to grow an existing business.

 

Mr Turner said: “Although I’ve worked in business I had limited experience actually running one so I set about finding the best advice available.

 

“The Venture Wales mentor had owned his own successful company and knew all the tricks to give the added value that we needed. He’s been there, seen it and done it. When he gave me advice, he wasn’t talking about theory, but from experience. I can honestly say that his advice was invaluable in getting the business to where it is now.”

 

Venture Wales helped AGS develop a successful business strategy based on providing innovative technology with excellent customer service.

 

Mr Turner said: “The process we followed helped me to plan the growth of the business and the guidance received assisted all employees to concentrate and deliver on key performance indicators to achieve success.”

 

AGS has a growing list of clients and has been awarded the small business award at the 2009 Flintshire Business Awards.

 

Venture Wales has also successfully worked with Vannplastic, which also has a site in Flintshire, and is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of eco-friendly wood polymer composites (WPC).

It produces Ecodek, a blend of plastic and wood that gives the best properties of both materials and eliminates many of the drawbacks. It can be used for decking, walkways, outdoor furniture, balconies, marinas, planters, and fencing and stairwells.

The company was established in 2002, by directors Jeff Angove and Alex Collins, who have extensive experience in the plastics and polymer industry. They used their complementary skills of accountancy and engineering to achieve their dream of starting their own business.

 

The directors received advice and business support from Venture Wales, which accessed financial loan support from Finance Wales and grants from Invest Wales. Vannplastic raised £200k to start their business in 4000 sq foot premises rented in Saltney.

 

The directors acknowledge the benefit of the critical early advice over the first three years of the business, and the mentoring provided by experienced Venture Wales advisers on a range of issues including business and marketing strategy and funding.

 

The company has since relocated to a new larger 15,000 sq foot premises in Flintshire, employs 12 people and has a turnover in excess of £1m. Its two production lines operate on a 24 hour shift basis to meet the increasing demand for Ecodek products in the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe and other countries throughout the world.

 

The company has worked with the RSPB, London Zoo, The Environment Agency, National Trust, Gala Bingo, Redrow homes, McAlpines, and London Olympics 2012. The firm plans to develop further innovative products and is working with key stakeholders to support continued business growth.

 

Venture Wales delivers business advice and support via the Welsh Assembly Government-funded Flexible Support for Business programme. For more information about Venture Wales please visit the website: www.venturewales.com or Tel: 0845 0453 150.