Coventry-based ActOn Finishing (acton-finishing.co.uk), a leading surface finishing technology provider, has transformed its test laboratory after investing a seven-figure sum with support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub .

The company has a wide range of customers in the healthcare, aerospace, automotive and motorsport sectors and successfully applied for a grant of £7,500 towards modernising the laboratory which is used to demonstrate products to new and existing clients.

The Growth Hub also helped ActOn Finishing apply for £9,000 from the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme, which is also being delivered by Coventry City Council, to replace halogen bulbs throughout its premises with LED lighting which has led to around 32 tonnes of Co² emission savings per year and reduced energy costs. The support provided, together with the grants, are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Sid Gulati, operations director at ActOn Finishing, said the investment by the company and grants had helped to modernise it premises. He said: “We have been developing new automatic machines to reduce manual handling and we will now be able to showcase these – very mindful of social distancing rules – in our test laboratory which was work long overdue.

“We use this area to demonstrate and develop new processes which is key to winning new business. The grant has also meant we have been able to improve our sales office by installing a new floor, painting the walls and adding new branding which better reflects our standing within a specialised industry.

“We have also been conscious of our carbon footprint and have replaced hundreds and hundreds of halogen bulbs with LED lighting throughout our site.

“The Growth Hub has been extremely supportive and pointed us in the right direction to apply for grants which we hadn’t realised we would qualify for.”

ActOn Finishing has also been giving back to the community by donating 50 face masks for free to the Bilton Coronavirus Support Group which works closely with Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Vision to help self-isolating residents with grocery collections and prescriptions.

Justine Chadwick, CWLEP Growth Hub account manager, said: “ActOn Finishing is growing year-on-year and the factory upgrades will assist with its expansion plans. The grants, along with the company’s investment, will help the company to reduce its energy bills alongside lowering its carbon footprint. The grant funding is an easy process for businesses to apply for since we help with the application process.”