What Our Customers Say About Us
Wax Lyrical Ltd
Five years ago Wax Lyrical, then trading as Colony, was on the brink of administration, losing 5million annually. Current owner Mike Armstead bought the failing business and has led its transformation it into a profitable leader in the home fragrance market, replacing the old business model of importing from China with a full Lindal-in-Furness based manufacture strategy.
Today Wax Lyrical exports 45% of what it produces to over 40 countries globally, from Russia to the Middle East and throughout Europe and the UK. Now, free of borrowings, it has invested millions in new machinery, IT and in training its workforce. It is a superb success story and shows how businesses can prosper in Furness.
Managing Director Mike Armstead said, The team at Furness Enterprise gave us timely financial and other support to facilitate new equipment and job creation. They have been a great support and have played an important part in our recent success. Whatsmore, their support continues. Currently theyre assisting us improving our energy and operating efficiency.
Robert B Trainer Jnr, Gyrodata
"I enjoyed meeting you at the opening of Gyrodata Drilling Automation's factory in Barrow. Thank you very much for your help in furthering our on-going business development in Barrow and the UK which, among other things, helped us make possible the move to the new building in Barrow. Your assistance is even more poignant given the considerable downturn in the world economy and especially in our industry."
Randy Wiggins, Gyrodata, USA
"As discussed when I was there (in Barrow in Furness); this would not have happened if not for Furness Enterprise's assistance."
Adrian Rawlinson, Managing Director, Marl International Limited:
"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!"
George Grant, Director, Stag Energy:
"You may have already heard that the Barrow Planning Committee voted unanimously to approve the Gateway application last night. This is a great milestone for the project and we much appreciate your support in helping us to get there."
Barbara Redshaw, Director of Nursing, Risedale Estates Ltd:
"I am writing to express my thanks to you and all the team within Waterside House for the excellent event which was held this week, to enable recruitment for Risedale Estates Ltd. We had a very successful day and I am certain that we will be able to fill all vacant posts for our new home as a result of the Jobs Fair. Jon Lyons and his staff did an excellent job and the day was very professionally planned and executed. I would also like to add that everyone at Waterside was exceptionally friendly, professional and approachable. Will you please pass on my thanks to everyone concerned."
Walt Rehon, Controller, Ametek SCP Ltd, USA:
"I wish to thank you for your hospitality last Friday as my colleagues and I paid you a visit. I am particularly impressed with your knowledge and understanding of the BAE business and with your agency's involvement in bringing the Barrow community and the local businesses together for the betterment of the entire region."
Alistair Whyte, Yarl Hydracentre:
"I am delighted to report that the new E-Commerce facility is up and running at www.hydracentre.com. We now have to focus on the promotion and bringing customers over to the new facility. We are all excited! Thank you for your support and encouragement."
Harm Tegelaars, Structural Science Composites:
"All of us at SSC are grateful to you and Furness Enterprise for all the procative work you are doing and for helping our fledgling company to get established."
Robert Goergen, Chairman, Blyth Industries Inc:
"I was very pleased to receive your brochure which outlines an assistance package of 3 million in total and to share it with the Blyth Board of Directors. We are very impressed with the capabilities of the available workforce in the Furness area and have good first hand experience with our partner company, Colony Gift Corporation Ltd. In addition, we appreciate the practical support and assistance your organisation has given Blyth in developing this project. Quite frankly, the efforts of Harry Knowles and the Furness Enterprise staff on our behalf have been superb."
Mike Greenacre, Group General Manager, United Coop Travel Group:
"Stuart, an excellent result. Could I take this opportunity to thank you very much indeed for your invaluable support, help, resilience and determination, working on our behalf, to achieve this result. Please pass on my thanks to all your colleagues who have been involved. This will now enable our investment in the future of Barrow - both the town and the business to proceed in a very positive way."
Brian Wilson MP, Minister of State for Energy and Construction, Department of Trade and Industry, 15 May 2002:
"I must congratulate you on your manufacture wind turbines at Barrow campaign - this is a great idea and it is a good to see an area proactively marketing itself in this way. I am sure that in dealing with developers, Renewables UK will be happy to let them know about the opportunities in Barrow."
Kevin Cochrane, Operations Manager, British Gas Hydrocarbon Resources Limited:
"Please accept my personal thanks for your support and contribution to the successful outcome of last weeks Planning Permission granted unanimously in favour of Rivers Terminal being constructed in Barrow. Without the assistance and support from Furness Enterprise the process would have proved much harder. Winning new business takes tremendous time and effort and this project could easily have slipped away to Anglesey. Construction in earnest can now begin and secure the extra investment and jobs that this project will bring to Barrow."
Robin Gardner, OBE Accompanying Officer Central Office of Information:
"On behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office I would like to express out appreciation for your co-operation in arranging a most interesting programme of meetings for Mr Victor Zamaraez during his visit to the Furness region on Wednesday 29th January and also your generous hospitality at lunch time. Given the present situation in Russia, in particular regarding the defence industry, he was particularly interested to see how similar industrial enterprises in the UK have adapted to reduced defence spending. In this respect his Barrow visit was extremely relevant."
Brian Kingham, Chairman, Reliance Security Group, plc
"My colleagues at Barrow and I are very grateful for your help and encouragement which has provided a very warm feeling as well as material support."
Blyth Industries Chief, Bob Goergen, on opening their 100,000ft2 $20m manufacturing facility at Barrow, Feb 1998:
"We are really pleased to be here. The grants and help we got made all the difference in the world. In our judgment England is basically the best place to start a manufacturing operation. I think this is a great example to show to other companies that you wish to attract to this area."
Terry Waiting, Chairman, Keep Our Future Afloat Campaign
"Just a note to thank you for attending the meeting with the Minister on Tuesday (23 March) your help and support were invaluable to the delegation. The information given to KOFAC by the Minister was underlined yesterday by Bob Ainsworth MP, Secretary of State for Defence. All in all it has been a very good week for KOFAC"
Terry Hart
"I am writing this letter as a thank you for the support I have received from your team recently. I have received support in the form of advice and guidance in CV writing and interview techiques. This has had a direct result on gaining two interviews and two job offers within two weeks for full time Office Manager (Twilight Years Ltd) and part time HR/Payroll Administrator (Homebase). I have decided to take the full time post and start on the 18th May 2010. I would like to thank in particular, Nicky Dunn, who has been my main point of contact. She has been professional, supportive and steered me to services which have directly contributed to gaining full time employment. I would like you to pass on my express gratitude to Nicky, real support, in real time with real results. I can't thank her enough."
George Derbyshire, Chief Executive, NFEA
"Just been studying your Annual Report. Impressive achievements, impressive production. Well done to all concerned."
Paul Tunstall, Director, JWPC Limited (Town Planning & Development Consultants)
"I am sure you will be aware by now that with the help of JWPC, the Port Meridien project has now secured both planning permission and consent from the Department of Energy and Climate Change for the off-shore part of the project. From a personal point of view, may I thank you for your assistance and useful knowledge of Barrow Borough Council and the politics of the area which was invaluable in our negotiaions with the planning officer and committee."
Sophia Park, KOTRA
"I would ike to thank you for all your warm and kind welcome on Thursday last week and really appreciate you for taking the time to provide us with all the information and details of your organsiation and also for letting our clients explain all their products. I hope we can build a strong long-term relationship with one another and help each other find opportunities in two different countries. If you need any further assistance with trade and investment opportunities with Korea, please feel free to contact me at any time and I will try and do my best to support you. Once again, thanks very much for all your help and kind assistance."
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