HumanWare, Rushden
"Northamptonshire was the win/win we were looking for, and still is"
HumanWare is focused on enhancing the lives of people with disabilities, and provides intuitive, intelligent solutions that enable their customers to participate in today's information intensive and highly mobile society.
With its marketing, production, R&D operations in New Zealand and Canada, established sales offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia, and strong distribution networks throughout North America, Asia and the Middle East, Europe and Australasia, HumanWare is a truly global company.
Chris Withers Green, Cheif Financial Officer and Company Secretary, HumanWare Europe said:
"We came to the UK ten years ago and our first concern was to be close to our clients, all of whom were based in the UK at that time. We were looking for a locality with good road communications to the North and South, and a stable but growing economy. We realised that we would start small but have to grow in a competitive industry and not get swallowed up in a local economy that not allow us to look at the bigger picture. If we had gone to London or Birmingham we would have struggled to keep our heads firmly fixed on working throughout the whole of the EU. Ten years later we have a significant Marketing, Logistics and service centre in Northamptonshire, and marketing offices in Sweden and Holland. We now sell to and support clients from Finland to Israel, Portugal to Poland, and are considered one of the top companies in our industry throughout the wider European market.
"Four years ago we had to justify the case for continued investment and expansion in the EU to our parent company Board in Christchurch, New Zealand. I prepared a report that looked critically at many of the 'hot' European locations for major investment. We had a few very Critical Success Factors that we just had to get right for our development strategy to work, so the ability to score highly on these factors was used to grade all the cities and regions we were being attracted to. Once the Board had got down to five serious possible sites I spent a week visiting each site with the Chairman, looking at factors that were around our critical list but important for sustained access.
"Northamptonshire was chosen because:
- It benefits from a stable and growing National Economy
- It champions skills development and is investing in education facilities that cover all sectors of the work force, formal trade apprenticeships, a new University, and many excellent specialist colleges. Modern businesses need a diverse and skilled workforce. I would prefer to work in a region where there is competition for good people and good people to employ, than in an area where there is little competition and only a few good people to employ.
- Transport within the UK and within the EU can be managed easily and cost effectively. We have a selection of good low cost airports and road transport facilities.
- Quality of life and housing for employees in our salary payment range is good, and local community and social life is is very well managed.
- There is a genuine 'feel good' factor in this area of the country which, as well as having some beautiful countryside, has some modern and developing cities within easy reach, and Northampton at its cultural centre.
- It's a region with effective professional service and is well supported by regional and central government funding.
"In March 2006 we are moving to a new specialist building in Rushden. Russell Smith House will represent the result of ten years of work in the EU for HumanWare Europe and will be the home for our workforce of 25 people now and accommodate further expansion envisaged in the strategic plan.
"For international investment to work you have to be able to sustain a positive influence from your chosen environment on the Critical Success Factors for your investment ourputs. You need to use the leverage of the existing local programmes and projects to increase and motivate economic success and learn to ride the wave of change to the benefit of your organisation. Set out your criteria for successful investment, do your homework and get opinions from people and organisations who have made this journey before. Northamptonshire was the win/win we were looking for, and still is."