East Mids businesses feast on iNet funding
Ten East Midlands companies working in the food and drink sector have been given support worth £37,500 by the Food and Drink iNet.
The money, which the firms have match funded, is being used for a range of projects including new product development and improvements in production processes.
Sutton-in-Ashfield-based Lindhurst Engineering was granted the largest investment, £10,000, to develop a compact design waste baler which crushes paper, plastic and cardboard.
In Leicestershire, coffee company Shelton Imports has been granted £5,600 to help develop, re-brand and launch its chocolate-coated coffee beans.
Yum Baby, from Leicester, will use its £3,250 investment to develop a range of organic, halal baby foods to go alongside its frozen range.
Nottinghamshire's Ghar Ka Khana, has been given funding to develop a branding and marketing strategy to enable the firm to access new markets.
Miss Will’s Pickles, from Nottingham, has also been awarded funding to extend its product range.
Food importer and wholesaler Asiana, from Nottingham, will use funds to develop a new drink for the UK market, while Measham-based AB Produce has been granted a cash sum to help with its research at the University of Nottingham.
Engineering company Intelligent Distributed Controls (IDC), Derby, has been given a grant to help develop software for a hardware pouring system; meat netting manufacturer Trunature Holdings has been awarded £3,825 and cereal bar supplier Ashbourne Foods has been awarded £2,250 to help with new product development in the healthy eating sector.
"It is crucial that companies continue to think and work innovatively, both for their own futures and to ensure that the food and drink sector in the East Midlands continues to develop and thrive," said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall.
"I am very pleased that the Food and Drink iNet has been able to support these ten forward-thinking firms, and wish them well with their projects."
