Hull-based firm Level Systems is celebrating a number of new contract wins thanks to attending networking events hosted by Green Port Hull.
Level Systems’ services include air monitoring, local exhaust ventilation testing and noise assessments. The family business is run by sisters Kathryn Sowerby and Hazel Griffiths who are trained industrial chemists, previously working for BP (Saltend), Humbrol and Akzo Nobel Coatings. Their company operates nationally with offices in Hull and Doncaster.
Since registering with Green Port Hull in autumn 2016 the sisters have attended a number of business support workshops and networking events. These have provided valuable leads into local manufacturing and processing companies, offering opportunities for partnership working, access to potential supply chains and cross-selling of services.
Specific procurement opportunities have resulted in contract wins to the value of £15,000 with firms such as Transwaste and Swift Group.
Kathryn Sowerby, Managing Director of Level Systems, said:
“The events I attended at Skidby Mill and the Guildhall in Hull were really useful in helping to build our network – not just for winning more work, but also for meeting people who could become part of our supply chain. As a result, we secured new leads with businesses that need to perform a range of statutory tests on a regular basis.
“The Green Port Hull events provide a relaxed format for people to engage with each other and the staff have been great at sign-posting. They took the time to understand our business and then made introductions when there was a good match.
“The Business Growth workshops held at Brough Business Centre were particularly useful for relationship building and also helped us develop our company business plan. We developed a strategy around creating demand, effective resourcing and building continuous adaption into the core of the business. Green Port Hull also supported us with a funding application to support this growth with the purchase of new equipment.”
Dawn Hall, Project Manager for the Green Port Growth Programme’s business support team, commented:
“Kathryn has stated she has gained new contacts at every one of our workshops and events with many resulting in new work, which is really fantastic news.
“The key aim of our team is to raise businesses’ aspirations and activity, and support them to be involved in the renewable energy supply chain. Networking is key to this success as it creates opportunities to speak to like-minded people, expand contacts within the sector and learn from renewable specialists.”
As well as providing valuable networking opportunities Green Port Hull’s business support team can provide help with many areas of business development.
Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Stephen Brady said:
“It’s clear Green Port Hull’s business growth team is making a strong contribution to the development of engineering, manufacturing and renewables companies in the region, with its range of networking events and informative workshops. It’s fantastic to hear about tangible successes like this.”
