A Ripley company has been catapulted to the next stage of its development thanks to a £60,000 grant from Derby Enterprise Growth Fund.
AIM Commercial Services specialises in training and consultancy support for the haulage and logistics industry throughout the UK.
It is headed by Allison Kemp who chairs the Freight Transport Association’s East Midlands Council and is a member of the organisation’s national council.
Having previously worked in haulage, she set up AIM Commercial Services ten years ago, initially to analyse driver tachographs which record information about driving time, speed and distance. AIM now work with 500 companies in the UK – ensuring they are working within the law – as well as for the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency.
AIM is also a leading industry training provider, developing bespoke training services for the haulage industry from health and safety to the introduction of digital tachographs in vehicles.
AIM applied to DEGF for a grant to buy new premises in Heage Road Industrial Estate – paving the way for the introduction of new training services and creating the space to employ more staff.
Two full time positions and four part time roles have already been created and AIM are now planning for future growth including fork lift truck and trailer maintenance training and ultimately HGV driver training.
Allison, who is the third generation of her family to work in haulage, said: “The support from DEGF has literally catapulted us to the next stage in our business plan.
“We have expanded the team to give us the capacity to grow our training programmes and the diary is already filling up.
“Without the support of DEGF, we would have had to turn away work and put any thoughts of growth on the back burner.
“Although we work with businesses large and small throughout the UK, a large percentage of our work is Derbyshire and Midlands based as we are a hub for logistics in the UK.
“Legislation changes and lack of investment in training has meant that there is a huge demand for our services and we are already planning future growth to keep up with demand.”
The £20 million Derby Enterprise Growth Fund is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and run by Derby City Council. DEGF aims to support growth and job creation in businesses in the city and surrounding area through a mix of loans and grants.
Derby City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, Environment and Regeneration Cllr Martin Rawson chairs the DEGF panel of industrial and financial experts who consider business applications.
He said: “He said: “We set up the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund with businesses like this in mind.
“Businesses large and small tell us that they are still experiencing difficulties in securing funding from traditional High Street sources.
“DEGF is therefore designed to be catalyst for expansion and innovation which will lead to the creation of local jobs for local people both now and in the future.”
Applications for the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund continue to be accepted by Derby City Council. To find out more visit: www.derby.gov.uk/degf . Alternatively call 01332 641628 or email degf@derby.gov.uk .
