A plastics design and manufacturing company in West Sussex is to invest £500,000 of NatWest and Lombard funding in automation and manufacturing improvements. SI Protech (siprotech.co.uk) said the investment will “enhance the design and implementation” of its products, leading to increased productivity.

It will also “support the introduction of operational improvements that will advance the business procedures and
help drive efficiencies”.

The Littlehampton-based company employs more than 25 people and is set to begin a moulding-technician trainee scheme to help “combat the shortage of technical and engineering skills”.

Established in 1997, it specialises in plastic-injection moulding and is the sole supplier of three products to beverage giant Heineken.

Managing director Alan Edmonds said: “This funding will be the key to ensuring that we remain at the cutting edge of manufacturing and design technology.

“NatWest and Lombard were able to provide flexible facilities and continual support throughout this process, and they have been instrumental in the development of the business.”