Funding strengthens Yorkshire’s electronics sector

The initiative was designed to improve competitiveness of the companies involved, enabling them to expand and improve employment prospects. As a result, the companies involved anticipate that 145 jobs will be generated or maintained and their turnover will be improved by more than £8million. Amongst the companies benefiting from funding support was Rotherham based Arrow Technical Services (ATS). EY assisted in the purchase and installation of new production equipment, which allowed Arrow Technical Services to meet lead free manufacturing demands, as well as designing pcbs using finer pitch and smaller components. Chris Worrall, ATS’ managing director, pictured, said: “The new production equipment has enabled us to keep up to date with the latest manufacturing technology advances and allowed us to maintain and win new contracts due to our improved manufacturing capabilities, as a result. The support and assistance from EY has been invaluable and can only bring huge benefits to the whole region in terms of jobs and job security.” Allan Row, EY’s business development officer for South Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have been able to assist so many companies in South Yorkshire through our business development programme. The scheme has not only created and maintained jobs in the area, but has also increased the manufacturing base and attracted new business into the region.” Finance for the scheme came through Objective One funding from the European Regional Development Fund and was made available to EY by Yorkshire Forward.