The wealth of expertise and experience built up during more than three decades in the steel industry has ensured a highly promising start for Richard Brine’s new Teesside-based business Elemy Ltd.
The consultancy was set up just a few months ago by Richard and his partner Claire Murphy, who brings her own considerable track record in finance and business management to the new venture, and has secured £7,500 from UK Steel Enterprise’s Regeneration Fund which supports fledgling businesses.
Elemy is providing a service that connects local and global suppliers of glass reinforced polymer (GRP) composites and other niche carbon steel and non-ferrous metals to a range of customers across numerous market sectors.
The company has already secured a number of agreements with major manufacturers, suppliers and contractors and customers across various global locations.
The aim is to provide a wide, high quality product range at competitive prices with Elemy able to advise clients on supply chain options and agreements as well as strategic growth, design and fabrication, sales, marketing and business development.
“We are very pleased with the high level of initial interest,” said Richard Brine. “It includes opportunities in the UK, Europe, USA, Middle East and further afield with more than 50% of our work to date from outside the UK. The strong mix of clients bodes well for the future as we establish ourselves in what is still a young niche market.”
Richard’s senior business roles, including European Sales Manager for British Steel and Business Development with Lionweld Kennedy, involved travel across the Far East, USA, Middle East and Europe. His project and solutions expertise include working with the UK’s leading contractors and steel fabricators on a wide range of projects.
With turnover already expected to exceed £500k this year, the couple are looking to move from their home-based office in Marske into workspace that allows for growth.
“We could have planned for a comfortable early retirement,” said Richard, “but we really wanted to use our combined experience to start a business and are in it for the long haul. We are very grateful for UKSE’s support at this early stage, which is a critical time, and it is good to know they too have confidence in Elemy. There will be further numerous options open to us but we are consolidating in GRP composites, non-ferrous, civil and drainage engineering products initially.”
Sarah Thorpe, Area Manager for UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary, said: “It is good to see a new business making such a strong start and using the valuable expertise gained over decades in the steel industry. We were happy to support Elemy at this vital stage and look forward to seeing the business go from strength to strength and create valuable jobs in one of our steel areas.”
For details of UKSE’s support for businesses with finance and premises call 01642 777 777 or www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk. Elemy Ltd is on 07711 175 329 or https://coastbusiness.co.uk/elemyltd