An award-winning Bristol-based company which recycles CDs and DVDs into items such as bar stools, tables and soap dishes has expanded its business through the support of Business West, one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the UK and the Workforce for the Future Programme.
The company initially took on five Kickstarter employees in 2021, two of which are still employed with the company working within marketing and sustainability. Kieran’s hope is that they will be able to be employed on a more permanent basis going forward.
Kieran said:
“It’s been critical to the development of the business having the extra hands on deck. It’s been a really high calibre of employees and they’ve been such an asset to the company.
“Some of the main highlights which have come out of hiring Kickstarters has been upgrading our products and services, exhibiting at Clerkenwell Design Week, and picking up big projects with companies like Netflix.
“Our sustainability is now far more verified as one of our Kickstarters helped develop a tool that calculates all of the carbon within our manufacturing and processing.”
Kieran set up his business after winning several design awards including a UK Young Innovators Award and a Santander Start-Up Ambassadorship.
After exhibiting in London he subsequently received an invitation to showcase his work at Material London. Kieran says he felt like a ‘pretty small fish in a big pond’ with his display boxed up in an ‘old vacuum cleaner box’ alongside established design firms, but he received an extremely positive reaction to his materials and designs.
The company’s current project, RE-CD, involves collecting CDs from both businesses and the public via a collection station in South Bristol.
Kieran says:
“It’s a very contained model meaning that we are able to ensure the quality at each stage to make sure that we’re making the best products that will last for the longest possible duration.”
While the Kickstarter scheme has now ended, Kieran says that The Workforce for the Future programme has given his company a huge boost and has allowed him to integrate within the business community.
Kieran continues:
“It’s quite easy to start a business and then feel quite isolated from other companies around you.
“Being part of the Workforce for the Future programme has provided a great link into the business community within our local area.”
Kieran also says the programme has allowed him to look at his business goals and see how they can be better achieved with the right skills:
“We get three years support with the scheme, and we are looking forward to applying more of the training available. Our staff have so far developed really well with the tailored support.
“I've had regular meetings with Barry Tugwood, our Skills Advisor and he has been great networking source. He’s been able to patch things together within our local community and has introduced us to some great people.”
How can my business access workforce development support?
You can contact Business West here to find out about the support available including how to develop a workforce plan and strategy and how to better understand your business’ skills needs.
Does your business need support to become more sustainable?
We have a series of lunch and learn events which will be delivered every other month throughout 2022 and 2023. The next event is taking place on 27th September and will focus on green culture. You can book on here.
We’re also running Aiming for Net Zero workshops which will give you advice and inspiration to progress along your journey to Net Zero. These are free for Chamber Members and the next one is taking place on 21st September. Find out more here.
If you’re interested in becoming a Chamber Member where you can gain access to a wide range of business support while raising your business profile, you can join here.
Business West is delivering Workforce for the Future in collaboration with other partners and the West of England Combined Authority.
For more information on Workforce for the Future, please visit the West of England Growth Hub. The Growth Hub is the West of England Combined Authority’s dedicated business support service which offers free, one-to-one advice and guidance for SMEs.
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If you'd like to find out more about how we can help your business with workforce development planning, get in touch with the team.