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Case Study: HJC Design Ltd

Published: July 2007

The Company

Based at Barnsley’s Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC) in Wilthorpe, product design company HJC Design Ltd, owned by Matthew Conley, can produce creative and innovative products from the concept stage through to final production and delivery. 

HJC Design works in a wide range of industries including medical, telecommunications, safety and security sectors.

The Challenge

Matthew applied for a loan from SYIF in 2006 but was unsuccessful because the business was still in an early stage of development and lacked the necessary strategies.

The challenge was for Matthew to develop a comprehensive business plan and work on growing and strengthening his business. 

The Solution

Matthew worked with mentor John Hall, who is based at BBIC. John helped Matthew to look at his planning processes. He advised on Matthew appointing an accountant who did the necessary accounts and financial forecasts for the company and helped Matthew put marketing plans in place. John said: "I’ve worked with Matthew to look at his planning processes. He knows where he wants his business to be and he intends to get there. He has now put his plans in place."

Progress to Date

Matthew has now been successful in his application for funding from SYIF and has received a £15,000 loan. HJC Design is investing the money to promote the company profile and grow the client base through comprehensive marketing, advertising and a re-launched website. A portion of the loan will also be used to buy design software and as working capital.

HJC Design has an established Chinese manufacturing network which provides a cost effective manufacturing solution for the client. To support this growth HJC has invested in advanced design software and is in the process of appointing two members of staff.

Matthew said: "John has been a good mentor to the business and I can always pull on his experience and knowledge. It is always difficult for a fairly new business to gain a loan, but thanks to John’s help I’ve been successful gaining the necessary funding from SYIF. The loan fills a critical funding gap for me."

Karl Hodson, SYIF Investment Director, said: "In addition to the investments, an important part of the SYIF process is our Money with Management programme which identifies a suitable mentor. In Matthews case we liased with mentor John Hall to identify the developments that needed to be made to HJC in order for it to return and be successful with a subsequent application for funding. The business will now benefit from mentoring in the next stages of its growth."

South Yorkshire Investment Fund can provide seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments ranging from £15k to £2.5 million, specifically to help small and medium businesses meet the gaps in funding they need for growth and development.

For more information on how SYIF can help your business please call 01709 386377.

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