New Colne manufacturer set to produce jobs

A husband and wife team who recently set up an advanced manufacturing firm in Colne are already looking to grow their business.

Stephen and Kathleen Coates opened Optimill in January 2013, a company that produces and supplies tailored components to other aerospace, automotive and medical companies.

Stephen said: “You can’t start a business without putting both effort and finance in. We’ve been working non-stop since June last year to set everything up and it’s now starting to pay off, with orders coming in from all kinds of businesses.”

The business applied for free support and finance from Regenerate and Pendle Council to help them get started and purchase required machinery that will help their business grow quickly. They received Accelerating Business Growth funding through Regenerate, a programme which is supported by the Regional Growth Fund.

Stephen added: “Regenerate sourced a grant to help us acquire the two machines that our business can’t do without. The finance was a great help, but their free seminars were even better. Their professional selling workshops have given me the confidence to knock on doors and promote my business and we’ve received orders as a direct result.”

David Wright, Regenerate’s policy and performance manager, said: “Optimill’s work compliments that of other manufacturers in Lancashire, by providing them with a local option when they require a new component. We help businesses like this across Lancashire that will create jobs and have a significant impact on the local economy." Pendle Council supported the competitive grant application sourced by Regenerate and also contributed to start up costs.