SJA Film Technologies Ltd based in Altham provides converting, slitting and spooling products in plastic film substrates, paper and CCP film materials to approx 250 customers worldwide. SJA Films Technologies have facilities to slit, rewind, spool, salvage, perforate, fold and coat many filmic substrate materials from stock.

In resent months SJA Film Technologies Ltd management team have embarked on a strategic marketing programme supported by web based customer engagement. The new strategy identified a need to improve the world wide profile, target new markets and create closer customer relations.

The Innovation and Technology Service conducted a health check on their web site and identified a number of requirements which would allow them to operate an active internet based marketing strategy

Billian IT Solutions has been trading successfully for 13 years and has a good track-record for providing quality software applications to the Travel Industry.

The directors took a decision to grow and develop the business with a significant element of this growth being planned to come from expansion in to new European markets. The company contacted the Innovation & Technology Service (ITS) for advice and assitance on expanding the business.

The Innovation & Technology Service of Regenerate Pennine Lancashire continues to help local businesses to realise their growth potential through innovation and the effective use of technology.

The experienced team provides in-depth specialist technology & innovation support including product development, business process improvements, IT/e-business solutions.  The service is free, impartial and flexible, from a brief query through to long term support during the specification, commissioning and implementation of a large project.  The team also helps businesses to get straight to the most appropriate additional support from across the private, public and higher education sectors.

Service Manager Hugh Roberts commented "throughout our 10 years of operation, we have focused on providing practical support to businesses with growth potential.  The core aim is to help businesses to be more competitive, so that they can create additional higher value private sector jobs within the Pennine Lancashire economy.  Growth is rightly seen as vital to the current economic recovery and innovation is a key driver for business growth.  It is encouraging that our businesses here in Pennine Lancashire recognise this and we have handled over 350 enquiries so far this year"

An invention by the Year 7 pupils at Blakewater College at Shadsworth in Blackburn has attracted the attention of sponsorship from groups impressed by their creative product idea.

The “Anabag” is brilliant idea, an attractive device shaped like an animal which can be worn on a shoulder strap and can carry five or six carrier bags hooked onto the animal’s feet and tail, leaving hands free.

Assistant Head Teacher Majid Ditta, contacted the Innovation & Technology Service for advice and assistant on protecting and marketing this innovative product idea

Uniplay It’s Educational Ltd is a relatively new company formed by a playground installation Designer / Technician and a Director of Unistage, which brings together technical and business expertise in the educational market. The Blackburn-based company designs, manufactures and installs both playgrounds and equipment in primary schools.

Uniplay wished to use the Internet to market the company and also to sell a range of standard playground equipment, in addition to their bespoke offerings

ULLTRA is a leading brand in dry multi functional 3-in-1 all natural shave creams operating in Nelson. The company have developed a unique formulation of dry shave cream which is produced and marketed in several versions mainly for the male grooming market. However they have now developed products especially for the female market. The businesses traditional route to market has been through direct response TV advertising and TV shopping channels.

Following support from Regenerate Pennine Lancashire’s Innovation and Technology service they were able to scope out the web site project and requirements specification from which we were able to help them find a supplier with the skills and technology to match.

Burnley company Broadlands Design & Engineering have developed an innovative design for connecting plastic pipes together. The company believes that this connection system (snap ring joint) can be used in various industries where pipe connections are required.

The company contacted The Innovation & Technology Service to help them to patent and market this innovative product.