St Helens based, Linian Engineering has streamlined its processes with help from St Helens Chamber’s Business Growth Programme.
The company supplies lifting and handling equipment and oversees the manufacture of lifting equipment for both domestic and industrial projects.
Ian Watson, Director at Linian Engineering said: “I have over 50 years experience in the lifting industry both locally and nationally. We look at a customer’s lifting equipment requirement in detail and then I will design a solution that is tailor made for their specific needs and to their budget.
“The equipment is then manufactured by associates within the industry and is installed on site by skilled and approved engineers before I test and commission it myself.”
Ian approached St Helens Chamber, because as a sole trader he felt he needed support to deal with the growing demand for Linian Engineering’s products and services. Through the Business Growth Programme, Ian met with a specialist tendering and procurement adviser.
He said: “I had invaluable assistance with implementing a system for contract tendering, which is making it much easier to submit tenders to organisations who have detailed and rigorous procurement processes.
“Thanks to St Helens Chamber, we now have a tendering structure that fulfils the requirements of potential customers and we can now make more professional and confident approaches, which will hopefully lead to us securing more and larger contracts.”
In addition to providing tendering support, a Business Growth Programme adviser also helped Linian Engineering to create a formal business plan. The plan is based on Linaian’s strengths and is tailored to its specific growth ambitions, making sure the company has a clear strategy to get from where it is now to where it wants to be.
Ian said: “Having a good and realistic plan is half the battle. Going through the Business Growth Programme has helped me to focus on what matters most and how best to manage the business.
“In running a small business, it can be easy to get left behind in terms of the latest management methods and technology but the Chamber helps me to keep up to date with everything.”
Linian Engineering has plans to take on more staff and move manufacturing operations in-house, which will give the company more control over operations and ultimately facilitate business growth.
Ian credits the Business Growth Programme with giving him a clear view of the running of his business and the barriers to growth that he can overcome.
He said: “I would highly recommend the Business Growth Programme to any small business with ambition to progress and succeed. Sometimes it’s healthy to be reminded that even the best run small business can be more professional and it’s surprising what an experienced adviser can spot looking at the business objectively from the outside.”
Linian Engineering has plans to expand in its own sector but also to explore new markets and opportunities in the future. As for increasing the company’s workforce Ian is keen to take full advantage of the Chamber’s recruitment services.
Funded by the European Regional Development Fund and St. Helens Council, St Helens Chamber’s Business Growth Programme is designed to help businesses operating in the B2B sector who want to grow and take on new staff, but are finding obstacles in their way. It is part of the Liverpool City Region Integrated Business Support Project. Following a free business diagnostic to identify any issues standing in the way of growth ambitions, the Chamber’s Business Advisers put together a bespoke action plan for the business.
Companies will then receive fully-funded advice and support from Chamber Business Advisers and specialist business consultants, offering practical solutions to achieve their goals and improve their competitiveness.
To find out more about Linian Engineering visit the website.
For more information about the Business Growth Programme call 01744 742042 or email growthprogramme@sthelenschamber.com
