A family-owned manufacturing business in Norfolk is embracing automation, innovation and new opportunities after receiving tailored business support from New Anglia Growth Hub’s High Growth Team.
Environair Systems Limited, based in Catfield, has been manufacturing ductwork since the 1980s. Following a period of significant organic growth and increasing demand, the business reached a point where investment in equipment, processes and its workforce was needed to support its next stage of development.
Managing Director Max Jermy turned to New Anglia Growth Hub for support in managing this transition, accessing funding and putting the right foundations in place for sustainable growth.
As a member of the National Enterprise Network (NEN), New Anglia Enterprise Partnership and its Growth Hub team demonstrate the value of tailored business support in helping companies overcome challenges, embrace innovation and realise their growth ambitions.
Building the Foundations for Growth
Having doubled its turnover through organic growth in recent years, Environair entered a more ambitious phase of investment and operational change.
Max wanted to future-proof the business, improve production processes and develop the workforce to ensure the company could respond to growing demand and take on larger, more complex contracts.
The High Growth Team worked closely with Environair to turn these ambitions into a clear, deliverable growth project. This included support with an application to Norfolk County Council’s Business Growth Fund to help secure investment in new manufacturing equipment.
Advisers helped the business develop its growth plans, establish measurable objectives and demonstrate the anticipated impact of the investment on production, productivity, turnover and employment.
“The support has been absolutely brilliant. It has helped us understand the changes we are making, make the best use of the grant, and put a foundation in place to build from,” said Max Jermy, Managing Director of Environair Systems Limited.
Tailored Support for a Growing Business
The support began with a site visit, allowing advisers to understand Environair’s operations, identify production constraints and explore the opportunities presented by its planned investment.
High Growth Business Adviser Orian Mendes worked alongside Senior Adviser James Moore and Adviser Sally Lomax to help the business develop its growth project and prepare the evidence needed for its funding application.
Support extended beyond funding, encompassing project planning, cash-flow considerations, workflow mapping, impact reporting and regular progress reviews.
Orian Mendes said:
“It has been a pleasure seeing the team securing larger projects following the intensive support and investment. We went in deep and provided one-to-one advice, grant application support, project planning and baseline measures.
“When you work with an enthusiastic leader like Max, you can achieve even more together.”
The team also helped connect Environair with wider business support available through Norfolk County Council and its partner programmes.
This included recruitment and workforce support through the Skills Team, introductions to the New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME) network, and access to a digital roadmap through the Made Smarter programme.
By bringing together funding advice, operational planning and specialist support, the Growth Hub helped Environair take a more joined-up approach to its development.
Innovation and Automation Create New Opportunities
Environair is now making significant progress in modernising its traditionally manual ductwork manufacturing operation.
Investment in advanced equipment, including laser-cutting technology and specialist ductwork production machinery, is helping the business improve its manufacturing capabilities and prepare for larger and more complex projects.
The company is combining this investment with its established strengths in customer service, fast turnaround times and close working relationships with contractors.
Alongside improvements to physical production, the business is exploring how digital technology can help make its operations more efficient and connected.
A roadmap developed through the Made Smarter programme identified further opportunities, including radio-frequency tracking of assets as they move between the factory and construction sites, alongside the potential use of artificial intelligence to assist with tender processing.
These developments could help Environair move away from manual, people-dependent processes towards a more connected and automated manufacturing model.
The combination of equipment investment, digital innovation and operational improvements is helping the business build the capacity and capability needed to compete for higher-value work.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Sustainable Business Growth
Following the Growth Hub’s support and funding through Norfolk County Council’s Business Growth Fund, Environair is progressing its plans to increase production capacity, create jobs and strengthen its ability to deliver larger contracts.
The investment and operational improvements are already helping the business secure new opportunities, demonstrating the potential benefits of combining strategic planning with targeted investment and specialist advice.
For Max and his team, the focus is now on building on this progress, developing the workforce and ensuring the business is equipped to respond to future demand.
Environair’s journey highlights how tailored business support can help established companies navigate periods of rapid growth, identify opportunities for innovation and put practical plans in place to achieve their ambitions.
As a member of the National Enterprise Network, New Anglia’s work is an example of the important role business support organisations play in helping companies access expertise, explore funding opportunities and develop the confidence and capability to grow.
By working closely with businesses to understand their challenges and ambitions, organisations such as New Anglia Growth Hub help turn growth plans into action, supporting innovation, productivity and economic opportunity across their regions.
Environair Systems Limited continues to build on its family-business heritage while investing in the technology, people and processes needed for its next chapter.