Following a rigorous validation process, Permaban has been accepted to join the cross-sector network which currently consists of more than 230 companies, turning over £2.6bn and employing 31,000 people in the South West.
The award-winning business, based at Lee Mill near Ivybridge in Devon, makes a range of products for protecting concrete floors including armoured joints, and sealants and additives to harden and protect floors and slabs.
It was established almost 30 years ago and employs around 40 staff, with some 70% of its output going overseas. The company recently won the Most Innovative New Product award at the UK Concrete Show in Coventry for Permaban Signature, which protects joints in warehouse floors from impact damage caused by forklift trucks.
The company has expanded internationally and in 2011 Spanish concrete floor specialists RCR acquired a 60 per cent share in the business, as a part of its strategy to achieve a vertically integrated company.
Beacon was first set up in 2003 to identify, validate and bring together top performing businesses across the South West. It is now run by Plymouth University from Tamar Science Park and has been strengthened by becoming a cornerstone of GAIN, the Growth Acceleration and Investment Network.
GAIN has been established by Plymouth University, Plymouth City Council and Tamar Science Park to accelerate the creation, growth and investment in high quality businesses and ideas to create wealth and jobs in the South West peninsula.
Andrew Keen, Managing Director of Permaban since 2010, said: “I’m delighted that Permaban has become a Beacon member, and look forward to making the most of the unique cross-sector networking opportunities it will give us access to. I am particularly keen to meet other like-minded business people from across the South West to share ideas and best practice. We also hope to host a visit to Permaban, so other companies can find out a bit more about us and how we work.”
Sue Baker, head of network development at Beacon said: “Andrew Keen is a very knowledgeable and experienced managing director, who has had a huge impact on the success of Permaban over the past two years. I’m sure Andrew will be a great asset to any Beacon discussions he participates in, and will be able to offer wisdom and advice to other members of Beacon and Beacon Pathfinder, our new programme for smaller, high growth potential businesses in the region.”
For more information about Beacon and Beacon Pathfinder visit www.beaconsw.org, or email sue-baker@beaconsw.org.
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