Family-owned Harrogate Brewing Company has achieved a six-fold increase in turnover with comprehensive support provided by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
Director and co-owner Joe Joyce put the growth down to assistance from Strive Live and Made Smarter, highlighting the significant impact these initiatives have had on their operations.
Joe Joyce and his wife Julie took the reins of Harrogate Brewing Company early in 2020, and received a fresh persepctive on business operations after an eight-week Strive Live course. It allowed them to re-evaluate various aspects of the company, from marketing strategies to production planning. The supportive community offered invaluable insights, giving them a renewed sense of direction and motivation.
With the guidance of the Growth Hub’s Mike Pennington through the Made Smarter programme, leading to a £7.5k grant to implement cutting-edge Enterprise Resource Planning systems and production process monitoring technologies, with potential for a further £2k to fund new energy sensors. This move is poised to revolutionise the company’s efficiency and productivity, while enabling targeted product development and strategic expansion.
Mr Joyce said: “The Growth Hub has provided us with a vital leg up in accelerating our business. The comprehensive guidance from Strive Live and Made Smarter has not only bolstered our operational capabilities but also instilled the confidence to pursue our growth ambitions.”
Mike Pennington, business relationship manager representing Made Smarter through the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, said: “We are committed to empowering smaller enterprises with the tools and resources they need to flourish. The success stories we have witnessed thus far underscore the tangible benefits of our programmes.
“Harrogate Brewing Company’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for businesses seeking to thrive amidst challenges. The Growth Hub’s multifaceted approach, blending educational initiatives like Strive Live with tangible grants and technological support from Made Smarter, has propelled the company towards a future of growth and innovation.”
