Innovative safety tech firm eyes growth potential in new markets

“Business Wales AGP has given us sound advice and fantastic support.”

Innovation is often a driving force behind growth. Xwatch is a Welsh firm powering growth in the construction sector thanks to its breakthrough technology.

The Cwmbran-based company is using its founders' industry knowledge to develop new solutions for construction firms. And with the help of Business Wales AGP, Xwatch is making inroads into new markets and enjoying promising growth.

Here, Daniel Leaney explains the success of the company so far and gives guidance to other entrepreneurs beginning their business journey.

Tell us about Xwatch.
Our products might sound complicated to those outside the construction industry, so put simply, we provide safety solutions, using new technology. We're bringing a modern and fresh approach to that sector, which is setting us apart from competitors.

The safety market in earth moving equipment was using old technology and wasn't progressing. So that's why I teamed up with Chris Fitzgerald at Fitzgerald Plant Services to establish Xwatch. Using our industry knowledge, a combined experience of more than 30 years, we came up with our product range.

Chris and I have drawn on our experience to take a fresh look at the everyday issues and health and safety requirements facing our clients. We've made the most of new technology to come up with what we think is a market-leading product, one that is ahead of our competitors.

So here's the nitty-gritty of our technology, and what makes it so different from others. Xwatch monitors the articulations of the equipment and warns, or even stops, the equipment by hydraulic control if it enters a user-defined no-entry zone. Our platform has taken the best available hardware technology, incorporating our proprietary software, to create a product range which can be used across industries and countries.

Our main markets are plant hire companies, manufacturers and infrastructure firms – among other potential users. And we think there's massive potential for our company to grow as we enter those markets.

Now, we have ambitious targets, but we believe they are achievable. Over the next three years, we aim to capture at least 70% of the general construction market.
 

What are your proudest moments in business so far?
Achieving market leadership in our first year was, without doubt, our proudest moment. As we grow and expand, there will hopefully be many more moments we can enjoy. We're excited about what the future holds for the business and what we can achieve.

If you were starting again, what would you do differently?
We offer innovative products and an expert, personalised service. We're happy with the way we have done things so far and look forward to the future. 

How has support from Business Wales AGP helped your business?
Business Wales AGP has been a great help to us, and we've received sound advice and fantastic support from experts through the programme. We've used Business Wales AGP extensively, mainly to help with our branding, marketing and PR.

What advice and guidance would you give other businesses starting?

• ● Research, research, research.

• ● Know your market, ask yourself why it hasn't been done before, and what are you doing differently.

• Most importantly, be clear about who will purchase your products.

For more information on Xwatch, visit here.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme​.

Welsh firm's innovations are helping transform engineering in oil, gas and renewables for the better.

“We've received crucial support from Business Wales AGP.”

The future economy will have to be more sustainable, with clean energy at the heart of everything we do. Many Welsh businesses are at the forefront of that change, with new enterprises coming up with dynamic solutions to the challenges we now face.

One example is Bridgend-based Nemein, a firm specialising in sustainable engineering solutions for the energy sector.

Here, Nemein chief executive Suzanna Bourne, explains her company's vision and history and advises others leading a business through a time of change.

Tell us about Nemein.
So, first a little bit of background on what I was doing before we founded Nemein in 2013 because that was key to how the company came into being.

I was headhunted to turn around an ailing oil and gas company in the south-west of England. It was while working on that project that we developed three patents, and it was on those patents that we founded Nemein. We reduce the environmental impact of engineering processes in the oil and gas sectors through the products we make, as well as improving safety and efficiency.

At the beginning of the last decade, external events – including the Deepwater Horizon, Macondo disaster in the Gulf of Mexico – accelerated the need for technology to detect and replace battery power. We have developed a range of services and products, including complimentary, sustainable technologies to increase safety and efficiency while also reducing environmental impact. 

We've taken novel ideas to solve the problems and issues that concern our clients and developed a range of market-interrupting products. These are resilient, long-term answers to energy provision for drilling activities because they remove the need for battery replacement and the interruption of measurement and data logging. It's genuinely sustainable technology, which transfers for use in the renewables energy sector. 

We have now expanded into a group of companies, operating globally across oil, gas and several engineering sectors.

What are your proudest moments in business so far?
There are lots of things which make us proud of where we are and where we've come from as a company. Our advanced technologies have been recognised with several awards, including the South Wales Business Awards, the Bridgend Business Forum Awards and the National Training Federation Awards Cymru. 

Our innovations are a constant source of pride, such as the development of a new way of harvesting, storing and using energy in drilling operations. These kinds of innovations aim to improve safety and efficiency, while also potentially preventing environmental disasters. That's a huge motivational factor in what we do.

At the centre of our business is a committed and happy team. And I think that's what we're most proud of because it's this team which is helping us develop into a fast-growing and dynamic firm coming up with breakthrough technology which will help the world for years to come.

If you were starting again, what would you do differently?
We'd take more time when recruiting people to ensure we get the right fit. Putting together the right team for your business feels like a tricky jigsaw puzzle sometimes, but when you've completed the puzzle, it's well worth the effort.

We'd also have put a greater emphasis on messaging around the technology and its potential impact so that non-engineers can understand it.

Not only that, but we would also ensure we sought the expertise we needed earlier. That would have given us an even bigger head start when we were beginning our business.

How has support from Business Wales AGP helped your business?
Business Wales AGP help has provided us with crucial support around strategic planning and raising investment. 

We've also had valuable legal and marketing support which has been incredibly helpful. And on learning and development, the ILM Leadership Level 5 programme provided by Business Wales AGP is the best thing I've ever done on learning and development.

What advice and guidance would you give other businesses starting?

● Believe in yourself and don't be afraid to show your passion for what you're doing.

● Develop clear messages for your business and personal vision.

● Be persistent – never give up.

● Think out of the box.

● Go wherever you must to achieve your goals.

For more information on Nemein, visit here.

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme​.

Impact Innovations Retains Gold C2E Award

We are very proud to announce that we have once again achieved Gold status for our Committed 2 Equality (C2E) Accreditation. This is the 3rd year running since signing up to the programme 7 years ago & we are very pleased to be driving forward our Inclusion Action Plan and key objectives. #ImpactGrowth