The impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on business has prompted a Barnsley company to make a move and invest in growth.
Osborne Technologies has moved into a single 12,000 sq ft unit at Nexus Business Park close to junction 37 of the M1, leaving behind four separate units on the Fall Bank industrial estate in Dodworth.
Their investment in the future aims to consolidate operations and increase efficiency with improved warehouse and distribution facilities as well as new business software systems.
The decision to move at this time was prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic rather that deterred by it and the company plans to double turnover and the create new jobs over the next two years.
Managing director Tom Osborne (pictured) said: “We’ve been looking to move for a couple of years but couldn’t quite decide on the best location, size and spec of workspace we needed to take the business forward and grow.
“It may sound a bit crazy but the impact of Covid gave us a clearer idea of how we’ll be working in future. Like everyone else, we’ve had to adapt quickly to the changing world and adopt new ways of working like home-working, which will be part of our business culture for good now, as will better use of video-calling technology and online customer service.
“Covid has changed the dynamic of our business and taking on a new space at this time has allowed to start from scratch and design a workspace which makes us work better, safer and more efficiently.”
“It means we’ve been able to look at different properties, which we might previously have discounted, and utilise the space differently with more improved warehouse facilities and better technology to support our remote team.”
Osborne Technologies develops and distributes technology solutions including the EntrySign visitor management systems, a range of own-brand interactive AV presentation screens and sensory applications and immersive environments for educational, SEN and therapeutic applications.
In response to coronavirus, the company has launched a new range of hygiene technology products including automatic hand sanitisers, door handle sanitisers, temperature screening and access controls, which has helped boost sales as organisations invest in Covid-secure environments.
Enterprising Barnsley worked with Osborne Technologies to secure investment in support of this move from the Digital Investment Fund, #Grow, which is now closed to Barnsley-based businesses. The funding was from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Roger Marsh, OBE, DL Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) and NP11 said: “It is encouraging to see business growth and job creation as we work towards an inclusive economic recovery. The response to the #Grow initiative has been extremely positive, enabling us to support to a broad range of businesses across the digital and tech sector.”
Cllr Tim Cheetham, Barnsley’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s good to see Osborne Technologies responding so quickly to the dramatic impacts of Covid-19 and turning these into a positive with bold action to invest in the next stage of their business and create jobs. It’s been a difficult time for many businesses, so it’s good to see positive news and where possible, businesses thriving.”
