To date, the scheme has invested over £2 million into businesses across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, North Hertfordshire, Rutland and Uttlesford.
As a result, the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative will continue to ensure that the area remains at the forefront of agricultural development.
The latest cohort of Norfolk based businesses that are set to benefit from £214,822, include poultry farmers, equipment manufacturing and vegetable processing companies and a business that provides dual-fuel solutions for Diesel engines.
The projects receiving funding are as follows:
- Sharp Systems Ltd. Based in King’s Lynn, Sharp Systems manufactures bespoke processing and handling equipment for the food and drink industry. The funding will be used to purchase a bending machine to improve precision and accuracy. The machine will free up staff resources, resulting in less handling damage, increased production, reduced costs and improved product quality.
- Fountain Foods Ltd. Based in Wisbech, Fountain Foods Ltd is a family owned and run vegetable processing company. Fountain Foods will use the grant to fund the building and commissioning of a 1500 tonne onion storage unit. The energy efficient store will be capable of curing the onions and holding them in chilled conditions to supply a raw material source during the most difficult time of the year (between May and July).
- Diesel Dynamics Ltd. Based at the Hethel Centre of Engineering in Norfolk, Diesel Dynamics specialises in providing dual-fuel solutions for diesel-engine applications including agricultural machinery, plant, commercial vehicles, generators and marine craft. The grant will fund a research and development project that aims to prove that biogas can be used as a cost-effective and commercially viable alternative fuel source for diesel vehicles and generators within the agricultural sector.
- Uphouse Farm. Based near Fakenham in Norfolk, Uphouse Farm are award winning poultry farmers. The funding will be used to buy and install the very latest computer software and ancillary equipment into 16 poultry houses to enable Uphouse Farm to drive forward and improve the performance and welfare of their chickens.
Mark Reeve, Chairman of the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), explains:
“The Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative is helping to drive forward economic growth in our area by funding vital agricultural research, as well as providing on the ground investment into the agricultural and food manufacturing industry. These grants are delivering new jobs and helping our local businesses grow.
“From food and drink producers to specialist equipment manufacturers and poultry farmers; the variety of companies we have supported reflects the diversity and strength of our area’s agricultural sector.
“There is still funding available, and we want to encourage even more businesses to apply to further strengthen our position as the leading area for Agri-Tech in the UK.”
Paul Sharp, Managing Director of Sharp Systems Ltd, said: “The funding will allow us to invest in the latest technology in stainless steel folding equipment, helping us become more competitive, improve lead times and help secure existing jobs, as well as creating new ones in the future.
“This Agri-Tech grant is a first for us in our 25 year history and I am delighted to be receiving it on behalf of my company. It will enable us to continue our recent expansion and investment programme, as well as helping us with our commitment to introduce new skills for our engineers. As a growing business in an ultra-competitive food sector, this grant will allow us to make the most of new opportunities. British manufacturing and engineering needs to continue investing in new skills & technology, and this award will help us achieve that.”
Jim Kelk, Factory & Procurement Manager for Fountain Foods Ltd, added: “The ease of application, as well as the complete understanding of the Programme Delivery Board that any grant allocated to Fountain Foods would not only support the recipient’s passion for self-sufficiency in growing, storing and processing onions from the local area, but also increase local farming and employment opportunities.
“The award will also see a dramatic reduction in the food miles and carbon footprint related to the produce associated with the project.”
George Kohler, Operations Director of Diesel Dynamics Ltd, commented: “Diesel Dynamics Limited (DDL) are genuinely delighted to have secured Agri-Tech support for our business. The financial and reputational backing this funding provides will enable us to deliver cost-effective and environmentally beneficial dual fuel solutions to operators of diesel-powered equipment in the agricultural sector and beyond.
“We now look forward to working closely with the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), our suppliers and early adopters to implement successful fielding. This is a turning point for us.”
Nigel Joice, from Uphouse Farm, said: “The Agri-Tech grant application was straight forward with expert help at every stage, so we were thrilled to hear we had been successful. Thanks to the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative, the investment can go ahead immediately and will allow us to update the equipment on the farm to keep us at the fore-front of our sector. The project will give us the opportunity to monitor everything on the farm more closely and provide an even better environment for our chickens – thank you Agri-Tech.”
Bev Spratt, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Economic Development Sub Committee, added: “We are delighted by the recent funding of three Norfolk businesses from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative. These projects reflect the diverse landscape of Agri-Tech business across our county which in this instance includes: manufacturing, exploring new diesel to biogas conversion systems, as well as trialling and developing new environmental control methods.
“We are proud to support the delivery of this fund which helps to create jobs, grow and safeguard businesses, and fund ground-breaking research which will define the future of our agricultural sector in the years to come.”
The Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative is funded by the Regional Growth Fund, thanks to a successful bid by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP) with Cambridgeshire County Council, Norfolk County Council, New Anglia LEP and the local authorities covering this area.
Grants are available to organisations looking to invest in new market and supply chain development, ways to improve productivity and efficiency, and the progression, application and commercialisation of Research and Development.
You can find out more by visiting www.agritechgrants.co.uk or calling 01480 277180.
__________________________________________