Firm scoops four-figure council grant

A Coatbridge firm has received £ 2225 in the latest round of grants from North Lanarkshire Council’s business transformation fund.

MetalTech Roofing & Cladding will use the funds for consultancy costs associated with introducing new quality management system accreditation.

Based at Calder Street, the company was established seven years ago and employs 21 members of staff.

Quality manager Claire Martin said: “The funding will enable us to move forward with ISO9001 design, implementation and certification.

“It will allow us to improve our processes, comply with health and safety regulations and provide proof of our supply chain to our customers.

“Certification will help expand and grow our business by opening up more tender opportunities in industry and the

MetalTech was one of eight local businesses to share nearly £26,000 from the fund, which will help create 20 new jobs, safeguarding a further 35 and increasing the companies’ combined turnover by £3.3 million within a year.

It provides grants of up to £6000 for capital expenditure on plant, equipment and machinery or for infrastructure improvement such as expanding or converting premises; up to £ 3000 for consultancy or exhibition support and up to £2000 for training to raise skill levels, competency and productivity.

Funding of up to 50 per cent of the cost of qualifying projects is available to firms in the key sectors of manufacturing, logistics, food and drink, health and social care, life sciences, creative industries, tourism, construction, social enterprise or energy.

Priority is given to small-to-mediumsized enterprises employing fewer than 50 people, and businesses should be engaged predominantly in business-tobusiness

Enterprise manager Yvonne Weir said: “We want to support transformative projects capable of delivering measurable impact.

“We’d encourage businesses to look to the fund as a means to accelerate a project they might be considering or to deliver to a higher standard than might otherwise be possible.

“Support will directly impact on helping businesses operate more efficiently, productively and to win new and more business.

“North Lanarkshire Council recognises the value of its small and medium enterprise base and the contribution it makes to the local economy; and have worked hard to ensure grant funding is available to help businesses invest, improve, expand and grow.”

Applications to the next round of funding close on September 13, with future deadlines falling on December 5 and March 13; email businesssupport@ northlan.gov.uk or call 01236 638945 for