Spalding business expanding after grant

Spalding-based business South Lincs Foundry has added two new members to the team thanks to funding from Grants4Growth.

The ERDF-funded programme, managed by South Holland District Council, provides grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 to small and medium-sized businesses across Lincolnshire with the potential to grow, so far helping almost 200 businesses to invest in the equipment and machinery they need to reach their full potential.

Founded in 1962 by Brian Harriman, for more than 50 years South Lincs Foundry has been manufacturing top quality patterns and castings for the food, marine and pump industries.

What began as a makeshift pattern workshop behind a pub in Tallington is now a thriving steel and iron
foundry, which over time has built a reputation for handling complex jobs, particularly in the vintage motor car industry.

David, who has since taken over the family business, is keen to expand the foundry further and build on his father’s success. However, recently the business has been receiving so much work that the lead times for orders were growing and it was becoming more difficult to meet the needs of their loyal customers.

In order to meet this growing demand, David realised that he needed to invest heavily in upgrading the machinery within the foundry, so he decided to contact the Grants4Growth team to see if they could help.

A simple application resulted in South Lincs Foundry being awarded a grant of £5,600 towards the cost of a new Spartan Pivotal Sand Mixer and steel track to help produce sand moulds ready for casting.

Investing in such efficient equipment has allowed the business to introduce an additional production line, which has significantly increased their capacity and created several new jobs.

Foundry office manager Rob Laughton said: “We just filled out a couple of forms and had a decision within two weeks.

“We’d definitely tell other businesses to go for it!”

Funding for the Grants4Growth programme was extended earlier this year, meaning there is still £1.3million of grant funding available for eligible businesses across Lincolnshire to invest in capital equipment and machinery.

If you think grant funding can help you to increase your turnover, grow your team, or future-proof your business, get in touch with Grants4Growth today on 01775 764813 or email grants4growth@sholland.gov.uk