Anne Woods and one of her creations

Company: Lakeland Mouldings

Location: Penrith, Cumbria

Established: 1990

Sector: Advanced engineering

Type of business: Manufacturer of moulds

and resin castings

No. of employees: Four

LAKELAND Mouldings is a mould making and resin casting company based in Penrith.

Anne Woods and her team of designers have more than 20 years’ experience of creating moulds for architectural restoration projects, galleries, small businesses and individual customers. They use the latest mould casting techniques to reproduce figurines, ornamental pieces, fine art, cold cast resins, sculptures and statues for clients across the country.

Lakeland Mouldings has worked on many specialised projects including an intricate mirror for the Royal Yacht Brittania and a life-size resin bronze sculpture for the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, Somerset.

In 2009, Anne contacted Business Link Northwest as she wanted to streamline the company’s management and financial systems. At the time, Anne’s accounts, sales, invoices and costings functions were carried out on a dated paper system and she wanted to find the best software to transfer it on to.

Over the past 20 years, Anne has seen much of the work which was carried out in the Far East return home, with customers preferring a UK-based process. She has embraced this upturn in business and carved a niche managing specialist projects.

Anne says: “As a small business owner, I’ve always run things my way, and it hadn’t caused me any problems. But I realised that the time had come to create proper databases and ensure my financial systems were as efficient as possible, so I could continue to concentrate on the creative side of the business. Updating systems was vital to the future stability of Lakeland Mouldings but I didn’t really know where to start with this so I contacted Business Link.

“I was assigned an adviser, Alan Smithson, who came to meet me and discuss what I had in mind. He was able to put me in touch immediately with a wide range of contacts from whom I could buy the best computer and software for my requirements.

“Alan told me there was a grant available from the Rural Development Programme for England but I didn’t end up applying for it as I didn’t require an expensive set up. Instead, I chose to update my current system with some new software packages and purchase a laptop which I could access from home or from the workshop. The solution was low-cost and perfect for me, but I wasn’t able to reach it without Alan’s intervention.

“After speaking to the contacts he put me in touch with, I was able to work out what I needed and, more importantly, what I didn’t need.”

Business Link Northwest advanced engineering adviser Alan Smithson says: “Anne runs a successful, niche business and it became clear as I carried out the business diagnostic that she only needed assistance in one specific area.

“She’s so busy focusing on the manufacturing side of the business that her systems were sometimes neglected. By installing efficient processes, she would have more time to spend on the creative side of the business, which is what she excels at.”

Anne adds: “This was the first time I’d contacted Business Link and I was very pleased to discover what they had to offer. I wasn’t sure if I fell into the right bracket to be able to access the service, but my experience shows that they have something to offer every business, irrespective of size or what level of assistance is required.

“I thought Business Link was all about accessing funding, but even if you simply need a sounding board and some contacts and guidance, they’re an excellent resource and everyone in business could benefit from getting in touch with them.”

If you think your business could benefit from free support and guidance from Business Link Northwest call 0845 00 66 888 or email infobusinesslinknw.co.uk.

For more information visit Business Link Northwest’s award-winning website at www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest.