Bromsgrove-based HME Technology has received funding from the Business Innovation Programme (BIP), which promotes innovation across the West Midlands by helping SMEs to grow through investment and job creation.

Founded in 1984, HME supplies products including forges, brazing hearths, furnaces, welding tables, fume-extraction systems, kilns, wood-working equipment, wood-dust extraction systems, metal finishing equipment and CNC machines. Employing 16 people, it received a five-figure sum from BIP in order to complete three innovative schemes.

Chairman Martyn Hale (pictured) said: “Firstly, we have commenced production of teacher ‘task sheets’, which are designed to help design and technology teachers deliver the curriculum at key stage 3 and 4 for pupils aged 11 to 14, with the emphasis on a range of machines in the classroom.

“The second initiative is with the Imagineering Foundation, to complete two new kits based on a project with Jaguar Land Rover. These are designed for primary-school learning at key stage 2, covering design and technology and science.

"Thirdly, following accreditation from the Design and Technology Association, we are promoting the mentoring and ‘up-skilling’ of teachers."