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Business Focus >>

The new manufacturers The new manufacturers

A great British renaissance has been taking place. From Aberdeen to the West Country, the zing is back in manufacturing. It’s about time this spectacular story was told.

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Stealth business makes a bang

by Matthew Rock & Real Deals - Friday, 16th May 2008 -

Stealth business makes a bang

A couple of years ago, the ownership of QinetiQ was a major public scandal, with commentators suggesting it should never be in private (let alone private equity) hands. Now the former government research department is yielding exciting entrepreneurial ventures.

News today that Malvern-based business Novel Polymer Solutions (NPS) has raised £5m in second-round funding. The new investors include: the Environmental Technologies Fund, Advantage Growth Fund and a number of private individuals.

NPS was created by the private equity firm Anglo Scientific (Jon Moulton, pictured, sits on its board), the technology having been generated by the Stealth Program at QinetiQ. The business is now run separate from Anglo Scientific.

NPS is "dedicated to developing its polymer technology into practical new products". The advantages of using polymers include previously impossible adhesion of surfaces and the micro-encapsulation of highly corrosive chemicals.

The Advantage Growth Fund, which previously invested in the company in November 2003, has taken-up pre-emption rights as a result of the round.

The investment is the ETF’s third from its maiden vehicle. The fund has previously invested in speciality metals manufacturer Metalysis and energy harvester Perpetuum.

BUSINESS NEWS >>

New blood shakes up family business

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 04, 2008 12:39pm GMT

When Tim Perutz joined the family business, Nimlok was in poor shape. Within two years he’d taken the firm into profit, and cracked 55 countries worldwide.

"Fuel duty will cripple us"

By Kate Pritchard - July 04, 2008 12:28pm GMT

This week, hauliers descended upon the capital, sounding their horns in protest of the rate of fuel duty and waving banners reading “Truck off”. “If this situation continues, it will cripple us, if not ruin us,” says transport entrepreneur Bill Hockin.

Grass Roots entrepreneur receives an MBE for social responsibility

By Kate Pritchard - July 03, 2008 5:24pm GMT

David Evans set up Herfordshire-based performance improvement firm Grass Roots in the eighties. Today, he turns over a whopping £247m, employs over 1,000 people and has just become one of only three people in the country to receive an MBE for services to CSR.

Foresight invests in Silvigen

By Real Deals & Real Business - July 03, 2008 3:45pm GMT

Silvigen, a supplier of biomass fuels for use in the power industry, will use £1.75m from Foresight to finance the development of a processing plant in Goole, North Humberside.

Countdown to Human Capital Awards

By Catherine Woods - July 03, 2008 3:38pm GMT

At last year’s CBI/Real Business Human Capital Awards, prison administrator Vicky O’Dea was crowned the ‘people’s champion’.

Brochures on Saving and investing

BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Lee McQueen pulls a sickie

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 02, 2008 2:55pm GMT

First day on the job and Apprentice winner McQueen has been struck down by a flu-like virus.

Look out Boris! Sir Alan for Mayor?!

By Ally Papasodaro - June 27, 2008 4:10pm GMT

Sir Alan Sugar has been mooted as a possible labour candidate for Mayor of London, and the grizzly entrepreneur is up for the challenge.

The world's first Tibetan consumer brand?

By Matthew Rock - June 26, 2008 4:41pm GMT

Bizarre.

Elnaugh Vs. Paphitis. The Dragons are at war

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 26, 2008 2:45pm GMT

When Theo Paphitis suggested all women’s brains “turn to mush” when they get pregnant, fellow Dragon Rachel Elnaugh, entrepreneur and mother-of-five, breathed fire and brimstone.

I’m so excited. And I just can’t hide it.

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 25, 2008 11:09am GMT

Anyone else gearing up to go wild over the new domain name changes? No? Just think of the wit, variety and confusion it will bring to the world wide web.

Business Comment 

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