Success in the pipeline for start-up plumbing firm

A start-up plumbing and heating supplier is on course to create 10 jobs and grow turnover to £2.1m in the next three years, thanks to Boost’s Growth Support Programme. Chorley-based NGD Plumbing & Heating Supplies also benefited from an ultra-quick £36,000 start-up loan from Hyndburn Enterprise Trust, enabling the business to set up its premises and acquire stock.

Formed in June 2018 by co-directors Gareth Greenhalgh, Nick Smart and Danny Goodall, the company is a trade counter supplier to plumbers, building contractors, housing associations and local authorities. Gareth has worked in sales in the UK plumbing materials industry for 15 years, Nick is a fully qualified plumber and Danny handles digital marketing after gaining experience at a Manchester digital agency.

Their target is to open 60 trade accounts in the first 12 months of trading. Boost Lancashire Business Growth Hub is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council, and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

NGD Plumbing & Heating Supplies was referred to Boost’s Growth Support programme after the directors approached Chorley Council about acquiring business premises. Boost then referred the business to the UCLan Unite+ programme which enabled Gareth, Nick and Danny to utilise an experienced student on a 140-hour placement to help develop the business’ digital marketing strategy.

As part of the Growth Support programme, the directors attended a series of masterclasses for new and growing businesses covering sales, marketing and business planning. They additionally benefited from the support of a specialist business coach to help them put into practice what they learned in theory. L-R: Danny Goodall and Gareth Greenhalgh, directors of NGD Plumbing and Heating Supplies

Further valuable support came from a Boost introduction to Prakash Patel at NW Access to Finance, who helped the directors to secure a speedy startup loan of £36,000 from Hyndburn Enterprise Trust.

Gareth said: “The Boost service was pivotal in helping us to get our business properly up and running on a profitable footing. Their advisers enabled us to develop, enhance and focus our skills and experience in the right areas so as to create a successful and sustainable enterprise.”

Rona McFall, of Winning Pitch which delivers the Growth Support programme for Boost, commented: “While Gareth, Nick and Danny had a wealth of relevant experience, they needed a helping hand to put together the business plan to secure premises and funding to make their dream a reality. Our support and the introduction of tools like the Business Model Canvas enabled to clearly articulate their vision and goals.”

Prakash Patel, of NW Access to Finance, added: “The plan, coupled with the experience and skills of the management team made for a really strong proposition, and with our help to complete the application, the funding was provisionally approved in just seven days.”

Michael Green, Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: “We’re working hard to grow Lancashire’s economy, which includes successful support such as Boost, which has already helped thousands of businesses like NGD Plumbing & Heating Supplies to find the right support to develop.

“We work in partnership with businesses to help them to find the support they need, and then continue to support their development. So, if you’re based in Lancashire, get in touch with Boost to start your growth conversation.” Boost Business Lancashire has received £3.8m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. 

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.