STAL is delighted to announce that it has been successful in its application to the North East Derbyshire Business Growth Fund.
The funding will allow the business to purchase a dust extractor system. As well as making the workshop a cleaner environment, this investment will have a very tangible commercial return; allowing the machinery to work harder and faster, and thereby increasing production.
When STAL moved to Coney Green Business Centre in Clay Cross in 2016, it was a decision driven by a requirement for much larger premises. The larger space was needed in order to fulfil the ambition of investing in modern technologies, which in turn would help the business enter into new markets, including aerospace, automotive and motorsport.
As Stephen Slater, STAL’s Managing Director, explains,
“When we started the company, our main line of work was pattern making for the foundry industry. It soon became clear that our services in pattern as well as mould and model making were of appeal to a much broader section of sectors.
Our projects have been hugely diverse. We’ve made the pattern equipment for the roof tiles at the Houses of Parliament. We’ve worked on a water feature for Jo Whiley BBC Radio 2’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show Scent Garden.”
STAL currently employs four members of staff and has plans to take on additional staff over the next six months in order to support a growing order book.
The appointment of Luke Almond follows his 18-month graduate placement, and is bringing valuable technical skills and know-how to the team.
As Stephen explains,
“Luke’s input into the company has been brilliant. He has used his CAD/CADCAM skills to produce a model of a 1904 Fiat by using reverse engineering techniques, and has also developed a new 3D model of the Fiat engine from scratch. Diversing our skillset in this way paves the way for many more interesting projects over the years ahead.”
STAL thanks the Council for its grant funding and ongoing business support, and the team at Coney Green for being so welcoming.