CEME Innovation Centre hits Occupancy High of 99%
Click here to listen to Centre Manager, Kelly, on the local radio talking about the good news.
New businesses are thriving in the Thames Gateway with the occupancy rate at CEME Innovation Centre in Dagenham reaching 99%. Located near the Ford car manufacturing site and in the heart of the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) campus, the Innovation Centre provides high specification offices and workshops for around 40 new and growing companies.
Management of the centre was taken over by Oxford Innovation, a leading operator of innovation centres across the UK, in December 2008. Centre manager, Kelly Brooker-Campbell, said: “Since Oxford Innovation was appointed to develop and manage the centre we have concentrated on increasing the range and quality of services we can offer to clients here. We have also worked to create a vibrant and inspiring business environment. We are delighted to have reached almost full occupancy.”
In addition to high quality office premises, client companies at CEME Innovation Centre benefit from business advice provided by the on-site team. The regular networking events at the centre are also popular as they enable clients to informally get to know each other, showcase their services and develop useful contacts.
“Our clients can be confident that our on-site team is constantly working to keep the centre’s facilities operating to a high standard. And our networking events have resulted in a number of client companies collaborating on business opportunities,” Ms Brooker-Campbell said.
Other services are also tailored to the needs of young and growing companies. Ms Brooker-Campbell said: “We are able to put people in touch with other business services, including credit control and help with short-term finance when required. It is in these areas that start-up businesses sometimes struggle. We’ve recognised that and established contacts for our clients to help them through tough times.”
One growing company that has taken space at the centre is Electrol, which provides training courses for the electrical contracting industry. Electrol director, John Orr, said: “The Innovation Centre has helped our business go from strength to strength. The opportunity to benefit from the facilities offered here, at no additional cost and without committing to a long-term lease, was not to be missed.”
A telling factor that demonstrates the success of the centre’s team is that several of the newer occupiers were generated by referrals from companies already located at the centre. Ms Brooker-Campbell said: “We aim to look after our clients. If current occupiers are happy enough to recommend us to others then we feel we must be doing our job properly.”
One company which has taken premises at CEME Innovation Centre on the basis of a referral from an existing client is Symonds Hydroclean, which provides and services shopping trolleys for major supermarkets. Symonds Hydroclean service manager, Glen Stewart, said: “The Innovation Centre provides a professional business environment in which we can meet clients and run our business, with all the support services we need. This allows us to concentrate on building our business, while confident that the centre will support us every step of the way. This sort of support is priceless.”
Oxford Innovation, a leading operator of innovation centres, has an impressive track record and unique experience of nurturing technology businesses. It manages 14 innovation centres and offers business support services to more than 400 start-up and growing companies.