Welcome to 'Invest in Furness" - our organisation is delivering a programe to "unleash growth in coastal Furness" using Big Lottery provided funding. The area's latest successes are investments by Barrhead Travel of Scotland and the 350m investment by GSK at Ulverston to develop a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility which is expected to be fully operational between 2018 and 2020.
These are exciting times for Furness , a UK Assisted Area. There are many upcoming developments in prospect, large scale recruitment underway by some of the area's largest companies - especially Seimens and Bae Systems Maritime, The Waterfront Business park is available for companies and enterpreneurs to invest here. Young people planning their future careers can look at university or apprentice routes . In addition families are encouraged to locate here because "partners" will also be able to find a good range of jobs.
Very few areas of Britain have such a potential assured economic future derived from investment in long-term growth projects based on maufacturing. Furness now has:
The Glaxosmithkline biopharmaceutical manufacturing investment worth an estimated 350m pounds sterlingwhich will have a life of 50 years and a demand for 300-500 skilled people supporte by a sophisticated Uk and globaL supply chain ;
Bae Systems "7+4" potential of a fleet of nuclear powered submarines generating 1000plus jobs including a sizeable influx from USA and creating significant supply chain opportunities centred on Barrow and involving close cooperation with USA on delivering a common missile compartment for ther next submarine fleet carrying UK's strategic deterrent;
expansion of global oil andf gas companies such as Gyrodata and Expro servicing subsea engineering needs worldwide;
East Irish Sea offshore oil and gas resoucrce exploitation starting with the Rhyl Gasfield
East Irish Sea offshore windfarm developments, including the presence, in the port of Barrow of four long term operations and maintenance bases for the next 25 years, the fourth having just received planning consent will create around 83 jobs.
These core opportunities have potential to result in increased demand for local services, accomodation , homes leisure, educational and healthcare services.
There could also be substantial investment opportunities supply chain opprtunities for local firms and for attracting new firms into Furness.
They could result in extra demand for service sector including entry level and semi skilled jobs for local people.
We anticipate that these projects will also attract investors and developers to consider investing in Furness on a speculative basis to build homes, offices and factories.Furness Enterprise 01229 820611 is their first point of contact for bespoke briefings on where such opportunities may lay.
We can also help you to discover what it is like to live and work in Furness at "Discover Barrow and Furness" our sister website - www.barrow.furness.co.uk .
THE GSK BIO-PHARM INVESTMENT 2012-2020 - AN INTRODUCTION
GlaxoSmithKline announced on 22 March 2012 that they would invest hundreds of millions of pounds in their Ulverston site to deliver a new biopharmaceutical facility, which will sustain hundreds of new jobs. 350m pounds sterling has been earmarked for its construction. Detailed planning and design of the new facility has begun. The anticipated start date for construction of 2014/15 is dependent on portfolio timing and obtaining necessary planning and related consents. Once construction starts, it is likely to take at least six years before the plant is fully operational.
we can help you to discover what it is like to live and work in Furness at "Discover Barrow and Furness" our sister website - www.barrow.furness.co.uk .
It enables you to identify places to live,schools, health services and discover a great variety of places to visit. Furness offers you an opportunity to live and work in market towns, the centre of Barrow, attractive coast and countryside all adjacent to one of England's most spectacular National Parks, the English Lake District. You could also study at one of the newest universities in England, the University of Cumbria.
We can help your business to grow. by helping facilitate access to a range of networks and links, by offering techical support or project management, and bespoke advice on the business case for investing in SW Cumbria.
Our track record is impressive.Some of the recent projects we have been involved with include:
working with wind farm developers to attract four onshore support bases to Barrow port- three are now active one more is planned
securing the biopharmaceutical investment by GSK in Ulverston
attracting a oil and gas service companies such as Gyrodata to the area and supporting their subsequent re-investment
supporting companies and trade unions in lobbying for new defence orders and demonstrating a locally based lobby can exert national influence
attracting neww service companies to FURNESS
We can also help you examine either the business case for investing in Furness or if you are an established local firm, opportunities to exploit new markets at home or overseas.
We also through our Job Access service link you into the area's skills base by helping local individuals to Return to Work and employers to source the skilled people they need using jobsfairs and other means.
The area is also one of the most important in Cumbria for new business formation -our assitance programmes contribute to high survival rates in a new businesses first three years.
We always aim to help you to access and use all the relevant information you need to help you to deliver growth for your business in the West Cumbria and Furness Assisted Area, a location that is one of the best places in UK to invest in and one of the top twenty places to live in and be happy.
we can also help you with Exports innovation and responding to market changes - When looking at global trends and markets your business may wish to examine the 2010 edition of the Joint Operating Environment at http://www.fas.org/man/eprint/joe2010.pdf. It sets out some of the challenges and oportunities that will emerge over the next 30 years.
The business case for investing in Furness is compelling.It is a hub for wealth creating businesses.
Furness is home to many advanced manufacturing firms with around 28% of all jobs in Barrow within the sector. Companies such as Kimberly-Clark, BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, Centrica Energy, Blyth Inc, Gyrodata, Liberata, Expro, Ametek, Freedom Agrilek, Dong Energy, Vattenfall and REpower UK Ltd and many others have invested here to take advantage of
the area's infrastructure,
natural resources,
highly motivated, skilled workforce,
College and university training links
supply chain networks
export market opportunities
Furness is an Assisted Area, centrally located in the UK, giving relatively good access to most population centres, market sectors and global business opportunities. It could be the hub of your business serving the UK, Europe and further afield. Assisted area means that there are discretionary grants available for capital investment projects which are valued at needing assistance of 2m or more.
In Furness, an expanding service sector complements manufacturing, which includes several successful tourism venues and, in Barrow, exciting new Waterfront developments are underway including the large Waterfront Business Park. A 450 berth marina and marina village are also planned.
This website and initiative is jointly funded by:
About Furness Enterprise
Furness Enterprise are committed to helping your company grow successfully
by providing you with a ISO9001(2008) Quality Assured, locally provided, locally focused, simplified enterprise
and business support service.
Our Mission
"To drive the development of Furness
towards a stronger, more balanced economic structure, where it
generates wealth from a broad spectrum of industrial, business,
agricultural and tourism activities and provides stable
employment. In order to achieve this, its current dependence
upon defence contracts will be reduced, alternative services and
activities will be sought"
"I just wanted to thank you for the support which we have received
in the New Year from Furness Enterprise in securing the Enterprise Fund Grant and the Heart of Barrow Regeneration
Budget Loan. This financial assistance will play a key part in the implementation plan for business, future strategic
options and in producing a highly credible business plan. I would like to particularly thank Harry Knowles and Val
Robinson. It is hard to find
the right superlatives to describe their input, so perhaps it is
best just to settle on one word - fantastic!"
Adrian Rawlinson, Managing Director, Marl International Limited
