Flagship companies from across Wales – AerFin, Tinopolis, Toyota and Bluestone – to throw open their doors to teach businesses how to think big and grow quick
Ever wondered how to be recognised as an emerging corporate player by the business editors who shape the news? Or perhaps you’ve got a list of questions you’d love to ask a CEO at the helm of a business that’s smashing all its sales targets and the competition? Well now’s your opportunity.
On Monday February 27th the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service will launch its first ever Growth Week, a week-long series of events hosted at flagship companies across Wales dedicated to fostering a growth environment in the Welsh market.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:
“Growth Week offers a great opportunity for SMEs with growth potential to listen and learn from some of our key companies that have not only successfully grown their businesses but continue to expand, invest, win new contracts, enter new markets and increase turnover. These companies speak from experience – they’ve been there and done that and I am delighted they are hosting these events to pass on some of their expertise and knowledge which will be invaluable for aspiring businesses.”
Business Wales supports the sustainable growth of small and medium size enterprises across the country by offering access to information, guidance and business support. Growth Week aims to educate businesses across Wales about the practical support on offer to reach that next level of growth. Whether it’s via finding new markets, developing new products and services, or exploring international trade, ultimately the intention is to equip SMEs with the skills to grow successfully and sustainably.
The cornerstone of Business Wales Growth Week will be four principal events hosted at showcase companies across Wales that have demonstrated strong growth in recent years. Each event will be attended by a number of business representatives from local communities whose companies and business ventures have been identified as strong candidates for growth.
Guests will enjoy a behind-the-scenes insight into how Wales’ leading businesses have achieved their success, learning from the people who have made it happen.
The four host companies have been chosen from all corners of Wales and represent the very best in growth strategy and success in their regions and far beyond:
- Bluestone, Narberth – Monday 27th February
Pembrokeshire tourism hotspot Bluestone kicks off Business Wales Growth Week on Monday 27th February. Their involvement follows a strong 2016 for the business which culminated in its announcement of a multimillion pound refinancing deal and the creation of 300 additional jobs by 2020.
Since 2013, turnover at the resort has increased by over 50% from £14.5m in 2013 to £22m in 2016 and staying guest numbers have increased from 95,000 to 130,000. Occupancy at the resort has averaged over 95% over the last 3 years, despite adding 25% more sleeping capacity over the past 18 months. Guests at the event will hear first-hand from CEO William McNamara about the vision and journey that began almost two decades ago.
- Aerfin, Caerphilly – Tuesday 28th February
Wales’ fastest growing company AerFin has been named as one of the principal event hosts of Business Wales Growth Week. The event follows a landmark year for the Caerphilly based aviation services provider, which saw them named as Wales’ fastest growing firm in 2016 in the Fast Growth 50 listings and achieve sixth place on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list for UK companies, after seeing profits rise by an incredible 1044% in two years, generating over £17million of additional turnover.
- Toyota, Deeside – Wednesday 1st March
In 2015, a total of 204,349 fully assembled engines were produced for the Burnaston Auris & Auris Hybrid vehicles and exported to other Toyota plants in South Africa, Turkey and Brazil. It was the first overseas plant to produce Toyota’s class leading hybrid engines.
Last year it was announced that more than £7million was to be invested in production facilities at the site to enable the next generation hybrid engine to be built in Deeside. The investment was bolstered with a £700,000 grant from the Welsh Government. Following the introduction of the hybrid engine, the plant has seen an 18% increase in engine production over the last 12 months with 239,540 engines and 41,063 engine components produced throughout 2016.
- Tinopolis, Llanelli – Thursday 2nd March
The final event of the Business Wales Growth Week schedule will take place at Tinopolis in Llanelli. The event follows an impressive year for the independent media firm, which was named by the London Stock Exchange in its annual 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2016, with 25 firms from Wales on the list.
Tinopolis produce television programmes for all the top networks in the US and in the UK they are one of the largest independent television suppliers to major broadcasters. To date, content produced by Tinopolis has accumulated 13 Emmys, 10 BAFTAs, 14 Royal Television Society Awards and four Broadcast awards, among others, for shows including Hinterland/Y Gwyll, American Ninja Warrior, Kitchen Nightmares and Hell’s Kitchen. Specific to Wales, Tinopolis are also the producers of nightly S4C magazine programme, Heno.
Speaking about the events, Ellie Fry, National Manager for Business Wales, commented:
“Learning important lessons from businesses who have achieved, the ones who will also tell you about their failures, is one of the most powerful ways to help grow your business.
“We are happy to be able to organise these signature events and provide Welsh SMEs with the opportunity to get the inside track from some of the great thought leaders from across Wales.”
Business Wales, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, supports the sustainable growth of small and medium size enterprises across the country by offering access to information, guidance and business support. To find out how Business Wales can help start or develop your business, call 03000 6 03000, follow @_businesswales or @_busnescymru or visit www.businesswales.gov.wales or www.busnescymru.llyw.cymru for further information.
