A group of four enterprising individuals, Ivor Jones, Stephen Duxbury, Paul Warburton, and Selwyn Jones, have ventured into entrepreneurship by founding their own engineering firm called Valvworx in Warrington, marking a significant milestone despite their lack of prior business ownership experience. In order to bring their vision to fruition, the quartet secured a £75,000 start-up loan.
Each member of the team brings valuable expertise to Valvworx, drawing from their backgrounds in engineering, business development, and management within the valve industry. This diverse skill set has enabled them to identify a gap in the market for specialized valve engineering services, which they are eager to fulfill.
With the generous support of GC Business Finance, the team obtained the crucial start-up loan required to launch their business. The firm, located on Hoyle Street in Bewsey, has already received orders exceeding £100,000 since its official launch, signaling a promising start for Valvworx.
Looking ahead, the team is determined to nurture the future of manufacturing by planning to take on apprentices once they are fully operational. Additionally, they aim to secure contracts with the new carbon capture scheme in the North Sea, demonstrating their commitment to growth and innovation in their field.
Ivor Jones, representing Valvworx, emphasized the team’s commitment to preserving local trade and their determination to overcome the challenges of entering the business world. “When we identified a gap in the market, our immediate focus was on protecting this important local trade,” she stated. “We formulated extremely detailed business plans to demonstrate the worth of our endeavor, not only for ourselves and potential customers, but also for our families.”
Ivor commended the assistance provided by GC Business Finance, particularly Alex and Julia, who guided them through the process and alleviated their initial apprehensions. With their order book quickly filling up, Valvworx has recently received and commissioned a test rig, enhancing their operational capacity and enabling them to better serve their customers.
The head of startup lending at GC Business Finance, Alex Mearns, praised Valvworx as a prime example of the positive impact of the Start Up Loans programme in fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating access to finance for startups. Delyth Edwards, senior network manager for the north west at the British Business Bank, also expressed pride in the success of Valvworx, emphasizing the significance of supporting local businesses and employment opportunities in Warrington’s vibrant manufacturing sector.
The establishment of Valvworx stands as a testament to the enterprising spirit and determination of individuals coming together to create a thriving business that contributes to the local economy. As they embark on this exciting new chapter, the team at Valvworx is poised to make a meaningful impact in the field of engineering and beyond.
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