01 February 2010
NWDA support for RFD Beaufort
A £103,462 Grant for Business Investment (GBI) awarded by the
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) will create 15 jobs at
RFD Beaufort Ltd in Birkenhead, securing the long term future of
the company.
RFD Beaufort Ltd designs and manufactures a wide range of
specialist life saving equipment for the marine, defence and
aerospace industries. Key products include life rafts, lifejackets,
flight suits for fast jet pilots and submarine escape equipment, as
well as a range of immersion and abandonment suits for the
shipping, aerospace and off-shore industries.
The company currently employs 157 people and is part of the
Survitec group, which has operations in a number of countries
including China and Germany. The GBI Award will create an
additional 15 jobs.
The GBI grant will ensure RFB Beaufort remains competitive,
without the GBI grant there would be a fear that production could
be switched to alternative sites in China, where costs are
cheaper.
Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Economic Development at the
NWDA said:
“It is important that in the current financial climate,
England’s Northwest is able to demonstrate its expertise within key
sectors. Manufacturing is one of the region’s major strengths,
employing a huge number of people and millions more in the supply
chain.
“By supporting RFD Beaufort with a Grant for Business
Investment, we are sending an important message to the company’s
management that the site remains important and production should be
maintained and expanded.”
Brian Stringer, Group Operations Director of Survitec Group
said:
“The GBI grant is welcomed as it will enable RFD Beaufort in
Birkenhead to introduce efficiencies within its manufacturing
processes and strengthen its position in the marketplace. This has
enabled us to bring work to the Birkenhead facility, create jobs
and with further lean implementation, secure the long term future
for the facility.”
GBI is supported by Business Link Northwest’s Access to Finance
service.
The NWDA is playing a crucial role in response to the current
economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the
needs of businesses during these challenging times.
To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the
NWDA go to www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness
For more information on business support visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
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Notes to editors
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press
Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view previous press releases visit
us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver
economic success in England’s Northwest by building the
competitiveness of its businesses, people and places. Utilising our
technical expertise and strategic influence, we help the region’s
250,000+ businesses to develop and grow, as well as supporting
international trade and encouraging inward investment.
For more information, see www.nwda.co.uk/business