Pioneering printable technology developed in the North East is set to be rolled out into new markets on the back of investment.
HP1 Technologies, based in Newton Aycliffe, develops sensor systems that measure and collect impact and pressure data in a variety of situations, and can be made in a range of bespoke shapes and sizes.
The concept was originally developed for use inside cycling helmets as away of capturing useful data relating to traumatic brain injuries.
As the company has carried out more research and development work, a range of other uses have become possible.
The HP1 Technologies management team has now worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to secure a £35,000 investment from the North East Small Loan Fund supported by The European Regional Development Fund, which is being used to enhance the firm’s production capacity and enable it to go after more and bigger contracts.
A new Electrojet UV3D flatbed digital printer has been purchased as part of development plans, which will see it targeting new clients in sectors including aerospace, sport, manufacturing, utilities and the military.
Up to six new jobs are also expected to be created.
HP1 Technologies was founded in 2015 by brothers Mike and Andrew Howes, CEO and chief operating officer respectively, who have extensive commercial and technological experience across a range of sectors.
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Mike Howes says: “When head injuries from cycling accidents occur, there is currently a lack of data about the magnitude of force experienced by the head, the impact location and time of the impact. This information is critical to help inform medical assessment, where speed is key.
“We created a versatile, low-cost device that could accurately capture this essential data and have since been able to adapt and apply this technology to a range of different applications in a growing number of industries.
“The feedback we’ve had from clients has been very positive and we know there is a huge amount of growth potential in the business that can be realised by scaling up our operations.
“Not only will the new equipment enable us to increase our production capacity, but it will also help us learn to better control and improve our processes and will mean the time we need to develop new products will be reduced by up to two thirds.
“Gaining access to locally-based growth capital also brings us into some very useful regional business networks and the NEL team made completing the application a very straightforward process.”
Part of the £120m North East Fund and aimed predominantly at smaller SMEs, the £9m North East Small Loan Fund typically offers loans of between £10,000 and £100,000 to businesses in Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland. It is designed to help create over 1,200 new regional jobs in more than 320 SMEs over the life of the fund.
Mike Guellard, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, adds: “HP1 is at a very exciting time in its development and it’s great to see yet another innovative North East technology firm successfully applying its expertise to commercial situations.”