The opportunities to support and collaborate with SMEs, make new business connections and raise awareness are amongst the factors behind ARA’s, DEE Ltd’s and Spheretech’s decisions to join the STC membership.

Founded in 1952 in Bedford, ARA is a leading independent specialist in aerodynamic research. It provides complementary services and bespoke solutions to international aerospace and defence clients to support their aerodynamic concept development. Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce are amongst ARA’s customers.

Chris Burke, Head of Market Expansion and aeronautical engineer, explained: “We’ve joined the STC to find new markets and partners for collaboration and it’s important we don’t just focus on the industry ‘giants’.

“We want to broaden our network and get more interaction and discussions going with companies, particularly SMEs who are very efficient at developing new concepts – we could be of interest to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the types of facilities we can offer.

“Automotive and motorsport are sectors we would like to explore and collaborating with SMEs could lead to doors opening. We believe we can learn from SMEs which will make us even better at what we do.”

DEE-Ltd is an engineering consultancy specialising in the development of automotive chassis systems, structures and drivelines. It produces concept vehicles, system prototypes and manufacture suspension systems for niche manufacturers.

RBW Electric Classic Cars, Fernhay (zero emission city vehicles), Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin are some of the high-profile names to have benefited from the services provided by DEE-Ltd’s combined workforce of engineers, designers and technicians located at its Leamington Spa headquarters.

But said MD Neil McAdam: “For over 18 years we’ve worked a lot with OEMs based in the Midlands, as well as niche vehicle manufacturers, but we are a well-kept secret.

“Joining the STC we believe will help to increase our profile and raise awareness of what we can offer potential customers.

“The STC’s networking opportunities stand out for us, too, and we are looking to develop and increase contacts by working with the cluster which clearly consists of like-minded individuals who innovate looking for future solutions.”

Spheretech, in Towcester, Northants is an air conditioning installation specialist which believes it can help tech businesses with heating, cooling and ventilation in their workplaces – particularly against a backdrop of rising energy prices and climate change.

Commercial Director Marc Knibbs said: “In the last couple of years, we’ve seen dramatically more people require cooling, heating and ventilation in offices, workshops and larger industrial premises.

“A lot of that we are sure is due to more adverse weather in all seasons and the spike in energy costs which have had an impact on business.

“The products we install use a lot of energy efficient technology – things are always evolving – and we can help companies to bypass conventional fuels like LPG and gas.”

Projects that Spheretech has worked on range from OEM car dealerships to livestock storage, food processing depots, schools, medical centres, offices and corporate facilities.

Marc continued: “We’re experienced in working around difficult situations where we have to adapt systems to a particular building design and installing systems without impacting on the aesthetics of a building.

“The STC has such great networking opportunities, from the business breakfasts to the Annual Conference or Advanced Engineering Show, and we feel we have a solution for technology companies to future-proof their premises.”

By Carl McKellar