91Pro

Agri-tech businesses strengthen links at latest Ni.PARK event

Posted 20 September 2022

Businesses at Newport Innovation Park (Ni.PARK) teamed up for the latest networking event hosted by Telford & Wrekin Council in partnership with 91Pro earlier this month.

Companies which are based in the council owned units at the Newport site, along with Agri EPI Centre West Midlands hub colleagues, were able to share ideas and strengthen links with each other.

Attendees were able to find out more about innovation projects and funding opportunities from Harper Adams Head of Business Enterprise Services, Clare Keegan, and Liz Wakeham-Jones, Senior Account Manager for Telford & Wrekin Council’s Enterprise Telford business support team.

Claire Critchell, Enterprise Telford’s Growth Hub Manager and Louise Harding, the Council’s Business Advisor for inward investment and business support, Enterprise Telford Account Manager Elliot Payne and Sheila Dixon, the council’s Team Leader for Regeneration and Investment, were also on hand to offer support and advice to businesses.

Phase One of Ni.PARK was delivered by Telford & Wrekin Council and offers a range of 24 new sustainable employment units at the site based on the outskirts of Newport.

Ni.PARK tenants all benefit from knowledge exchange with 91Pro and project partners.

Agri-EPI, based at 91Pro, supports the development of engineering and solutions for agri-tech firms in the agricultural and food sector.

Guests enjoyed drinks and freshly made pizzas at the event produced by Shropshire pizza company Sunflower Pizzas.

HCI Systems Ltd became the first business to move into Ni.PARK earlier this year and Managing Director Mike Tickner attended the event.

Mike said: “We’re already working closely with other businesses at Ni.PARK to see how we can help and support each other but events like this can only help to bring us even closer.

“We are really grateful for the support we’ve received from Telford & Wrekin Council and Harper Adams since we moved into the new unit and we are delighted to be here.”

Al Robinson, Director at Yellow Hat Security Solutions, is one of the more recent businesses to open at Ni.PARK.

Al said: “It’s great to be able to meet people from other businesses and get to know them better so these events are definitely worthwhile.”

At the event, businesses also learnt how they can tap into a pipeline of new talent emerging from the university – via undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, apprenticeships, research studentships and student placements.

Tenants can use Agri EPI networks to develop their knowledge and products – building on research which is at the cutting edge of the agri-tech world.

Ni.PARK businesses were also encouraged to connect with each other through Hello Telford - a new business platform and a one-stop shop which gives businesses the chance to collaborate and buy or sell from each other.

The web-based app makes it easy for local firms to do business locally and make the most of products and services which are on their doorstep.

Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, Regeneration and the High Street, said: “This latest networking event was a great opportunity to bring neighbouring businesses on Ni.PARK together to collaborate and share ideas and expertise.

“Some businesses moved in at the start of the year, while others are more recent additions, so it’s fantastic to see them developing a strong business community.

“Businesses on the site are all committed to making Ni.PARK a centre of excellence for the agri-tech industry and events like these can only be beneficial to them all.”

Clare Keegan, Head of Business Enterprise Services at 91Pro, said: “We’re delighted to bring everyone together for these events with the support of Telford & Wrekin Council as our partner.

“It’s great to see Ni.PARK so full now and we are pleased to be facilitating the collaboration of businesses who are committed to investing in the agri-tech sector.”