Weighing Scales Ltd achieves balanced growth

A weighing equipment business is on target for 20 per cent annual growth for the next three years, as a result of Boost Business Lancashire’s Growth Mentoring programme.

The mentoring activity was so successful that Nelson-based Weighing Scales Ltd plans to retain its mentor’s services to help drive expansion in the coming year.

Weighing Scales sells, services, repairs and calibrates all types of weighing equipment and weights. Its team of qualified engineers offer an ISO9001-accredited service to manufacturing industries, the NHS and universities across the UK.

The business recently moved to purpose-built premises that include a new testing laboratory to facilitate expansion plans, after outgrowing its previous premises.

Director Janet Marsden said: “We had a number of plans to grow the business: new products, new staff, new marketing campaigns. In fact we had so many plans we didn’t have a clear strategy. We knew where we wanted to be in three years and vaguely how we were going to get there. This is where Boost’s Growth Mentoring support came in.”

Janet had heard of Boost through networking events. After an initial meeting, Boost put Janet in touch with Community & Business Partners who matched her with a business mentor Paul Aisthorpe of Imaginative Coaching.

Paul worked with Janet and the team at Weighing Scales Ltd to develop a clear business strategy. The support was fully funded so there was no cost to the business. The team also benefitted from Interactive Skills workshops on leadership and Innovation. The interactive Skills Assist workshop they attended was aimed at developing staff to beat the competition.

Janet added: “The programme was an excellent ‘Boost’ to the success of our business and we now have a clear pathway to achieving our growth goals. I would not hesitate to recommend Growth Mentoring to other successful companies who are eager for expansion.”

Jane Houghton-Fenning, business development director at CBP, added: “Busy businesses struggle to take a step back because they are so immersed in the daily operations. Having a mentor enables owners and leaders to review the business objectively, and work ‘on’ not ‘in’ it.

“The key is the right mentor to support the business and Paul was ideal in this regard. We are pleased that Janet has embraced the process and know that Weighing Scales will be even more successful now. Growth Mentoring is about capitalising on the business potential.”

Boost Business Lancashire is the £7.2m Lancashire Business Growth Hub, offering free and part-funded business support to ambitious and growing businesses. Delivered by Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and supported by £3.6m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), it aims to grow Lancashire’s economy by £20m and create at least 1,200 new jobs and safeguard 700 more by summer 2015.

To apply for support, complete our online form or call 0800 488 0057.