A Caerphilly county borough based manufacturer specialising in products for the healthcare sector is continuing with its programme of expansion and taking on more staff.
Direct HealthCare Services Ltd now employs 16 people and has expanded to 3 times its size in just 18 months.
The company specialises in manufacturing a range of pressure-reducing beds, mattresses, cushions and chairs. The treatment of ulcers and associated ailments caused by pressure points is estimated to cost the NHS Health Authorities and other healthcare services billions of pounds every year and can lead to premature death.
Direct HealthCare Services supply to the NHS Trusts as far afield as Ireland, and have recently refitted a number of the NHS Trusts with new mattresses, which not only reduce the occurrence of bedsores, but also reduce the risk of cross infection by having welded seams.
To assist with their expansion plans, the company has received support from the EU backed Local Investment Fund grant to help with the cost of the welding equipment for the mattress seams.
Commenting on the businesses highly successful expansion, Cllr Ron Davies, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said, ” This is an excellent, fast growing company with a first class product making real improvements in terms of modern health care, and I am delighted that a manufacturing company based in our county borough is expanding and has such an optimistic vision for the future. I’d encourage more businesses to get in touch with the council’s Advisory Services team to discuss their expansion plans – particularly in these difficult times.”
Jon Lewis, Chief Executive, Direct HealthCare Services Ltd said, “We are extremely pleased with our expansion plans and are very grateful for the help and support that we have received from the council’s Advisory Services Team. We intend to become one of the largest privately owned suppliers of Pressure Care products to the NHS.”
WEFO is part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Department for Economy and Transport and is responsible for administering the European Structural Funds in Wales, including the Local Investment Fund grants.
For the period 2007-2013, Wales has been allocated some £2 billion by the European Union, which will be channelled through the Convergence Programmes for West Wales and the Valleys and the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Programmes for East Wales.
These funds will generate an investment of over £3.4 billion and will be used to improve economic growth and employment in line with the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategies and the EU’s Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas.
WEFO’s aim is to ensure the European Structural Funds Programmes 2007-2013 work efficiently and effectively for Wales, as well as overseeing the conclusion of the 2000-2006 programmes.
The Local Investment Fund South East Wales is a flexible grant scheme, which has been developed with the support from the Welsh Assembly Government through the European Regional Development Fund, under the 2007 – 2013 Convergence Programme.
For more information about the Local Investment Fund and other support packages for your business, e-mail the Advisory Services Team or call them on 01443 866222.
