Latest News and Info

KABA 2019 – How to write an award-winning submission

If you need help with your application for the 2019 Keighley & Airedale Business Awards, join us for our workshop at Airedale Enterprise Services (presented by Emma Steele).

Tuesday 12th March 5.30pm-6.30pm

Please follow this link to book your place(s) BOOK NOW! 

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heatsource direct

Heatsource Direct

Our Business

We provide a free consultation service to help companies identify how they can reduce their energy consumption, carbon footprint and in turn their energy bills. From this survey, we produce an energy saving report – detailing our recommendations and the savings that can be made. We support our customers in the planning, commissioning and installation of the products – some of which can be installed at no initial cost on our Shared Savings Scheme. 

Where are you based and why is it a good location for your business?

We are based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. We provide our services to customers across the UK so being so close to the M1 and M62 is ideal. We are also seeing lots of companies are moving their offices and warehouses up North so there are lots of opportunities for us to work with customers who are looking at the best ways to make their new properties energy efficient.

How did you come up with the idea?

We began our business installing infrared heating systems for our customers but saw that there was a gap in the market for a range of energy saving measures. We have now diversified our product range – we now install voltage optimisation, power factor correction, destratification, LED lighting and solar panels. 

What stage was your business at when you applied for the start-up loan?

We had been operating for 18 months when we looked into the Start Up Loan. It was becoming clear that, despite wanting to make improvements in energy efficiency, some companies felt they were not in a strong enough financial position to spend  money on energy saving equipment. We began offering our customers the products on the Shared Savings Scheme – where they can have the equipment installed free of charge. The savings that are made are split between ourselves and the customer so that they can benefit from the financial savings and the reduction in their carbon output without outlaying for the equipment.

How have you used it to grow your business?

The Start Up Loan has meant that we were able to invest in more energy saving equipment, ensuring that we were able to offer the Shared Savings Scheme to more of our customers. With the income generated each month, we are able to purchase more equipment, and this can again be offered to customers.

Who is your regional delivery partner and how did they help you get a Virgin StartUp loan?

Our mentor is Phil Harrison at Airedale Enterprise Services. Phil has experience in the industry so the expert advice he offered us (not just with the loan application) has been excellent. Phil and the rest of the team at Airedale Enterprise Services were always on hand to answer any questions we had about the application and are still providing us with support now that we have secured the Start Up Loan.

Biggest Achievement so far?

We were recently approached by one of the largest energy consultant firms in the UK to be their recognised installer and are now partnered with them. This opens a whole new market for us and will allow us to continue our growth.

What’s next for your business?

To build upon our current marketing strategy and hopefully employ an expert to manage this.

Founder(s) name: Tom Thurling & Chris Thurling

Loan funds received: £20,000 – £25,000

Based in: Bradford, West Yorkshire

Website: www.heatsourcedirect.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/heatsourcedirectlimited

Twitter: @Heatsource_1

Airedale Enterprise Services wins two National Awards!

The winners of the 2018 National Enterprise Network Awards were announced on Friday 16th November. Host Nick Pandolfi named winners in five categories at the Awards ceremony, part of the day-long National Enterprise Network Annual Conference, sponsored by Barclays and held at Barclays Head Office in Canary Wharf, London.

Established in 2007, the awards recognise excellence in the delivery of enterprise support, encouraging the exchange of good practice and the development of improved services and organisations. This year’s categories were: Enterprise Support Organisation of the YearEnterprise Engagement AwardUnsung Hero of the Year Award and Enterprise Team of the Year Award. Outgoing NEN Chairman, Graham Marley also presented an additional Chairman’s Award, in recognition of the exceptional work of one of its members.

The penultimate category of the programme – Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year Award – was split into two sub categories to reflect differing turnover. This category sought to recognise organisations with enterprise support at their very hearts. In the under £750k turnover sub category, the Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year was awarded to Airedale Enterprise Services. Within their local area, Airedale Enterprise Service has a strong and trusted reputation. During its 35 year history, the organisation has shown a great deal of adaptability and diversification in order to keep offering enterprise support services to start-ups for free. The team works hard to offer an ever-evolving selection of business clubs, networking meetings, presentations and topical events for the local businesses within their region. The judges felt that this is an organisation which provides outstanding enterprise support services to a community in which it is firmly embedded.

The Unsung Hero category asked members to nominate someone from their team whose contribution is crucial in meeting the needs of the business and its clients. Sonia Patel from Yorkshire-based Airedale Enterprise Services, was announced as the winner in this category. Sonia was described by her team as “an absolute star and great asset”. Since joining the organisation 5 years ago on a graduate programme, Sonia has made a huge impact and impression on everyone in the organisation. She has flourished and used her creativity and customer service skills to create a new role for herself as a Digital Marketing specialist, enabling Airedale Enterprise Services to offer this out as a new service to clients. It was clear that Sonia’s colleagues felt lucky and proud to have her as part of their team, and that she is an inspiration to those around her.