An innovative events and exhibitions business in Warwickshire will be reaching new heights after investing in state-of-the-art machinery.
Showplace, which is based at Clifford Chambers near Stratford-upon-Avon, has specialised in exhibition stands, event structures and exhibition trailers for the last 35 years throughout the UK and overseas.
During the pandemic, the business diversified into creating modular visiting pods at care homes and Covid testing facilities.
As the events and exhibitions industry has started to recover, Showplace wanted to invest in a new forklift truck after spending a large amount on hiring forklift trucks at different locations last year.
Rob Goodman, managing director of Showplace, contacted Jim Clark at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub to find out if they were any grants available.
He was put in touch with Denise Osborne, Business Development Advisor at the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is being delivered by Coventry City Council.
The business received an £11,600 grant towards buying the £58,000 Manitou Truck Mounted Telehandler Forklift which has also created three jobs.
Rob said the grant had been instrumental in Showplace’s decision to go ahead and buy the top-of-the-range model.
He said: “We work throughout the UK for our clients as well as in Europe and after adding up the cost of hiring forklift trucks last year, we decided to look into how we could become more sustainable and more cost efficient.
“It was sometimes frustrating when we had hired a machine and our staff were on-site but it didn’t arrive on time which would delay the setting up for our clients through no fault of our own.
“Investing in the new forklift truck means we can load and unload exhibition items at our depot and the venues we are working at.
“The benefit is that we are much more efficient and are in control of the situation and not reliant on plant hire companies.
“A number of staff have completed training courses because it requires a different licence to other forklifts as it has crab steer wheels which means it turns width ways and that is great when we are carrying long items.
“The Growth Hub has always been very supportive in letting us know what support is available which is really important because when you are a busy business, it is difficult to spend time looking at funding opportunities and the Growth Hub makes it easy to access the support that’s out there.”
Jim Clark, Account Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said the purchase by Showplace was an ongoing investment in its business
He said: “Buying the new forklift truck is part of Showplace’s on-going business strategy to increase their quality and services.
“It has also provided their employees with new skills and qualifications, and their clients with a complete service by not having to outsource to others and will benefit the business in the long-term.”
Denise Osborne, Business Development Adviser at Coventry City Council, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the team at Showplace who have shown resilience to not only diversify during a tough couple of years for the events industry but also look to the future with investment in new projects.
“The funding they have received through Coventry City Council will enable them to provide a more efficient service to their clients at events.
“The business support that the Council provides has always been important in helping businesses find innovative ways to grow as well as provide those key links to diversify and become more competitive.”
Caption: From the left, Denise Osborne (Coventry City Council), Rob Goodman (Showplace), Jim Clark (CW Growth Hub) and, in the forklift truck, Alex Mitchell (Showplace)