UK Biometrics is a growing success story

May 24 2007 By The Journal

A Tyneside biometric company is growing apace with nationwide expansion and a boost in turnover.

UK Biometrics is a great example of how an SME can go from strength to strength with the help of business support organisations.

In the past year, it has branched out of its native North-East with the launch of six new regional offices in Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Bournemouth.

With its head office firmly established in Killingworth, the company has ambitious plans to open a further 26 offices across the country by summer 2008 and is showing no signs of stalling.

Established in 2000, the company has rapidly developed in its field and boasts a raft of regional and national clients including IBM, Persimmon Homes, Ford and Bovis. Three quarters of the firm's business is currently North-East based but with the launch of the new offices it plans to expand into markets across the UK.

With help from Business Link, the company has supported its expansion with a re-brand, a marketing campaign and a new updated website www.ukbiometrics.co.uk Thanks to its successful marketing strategy and having taken the step to become a franchise business in 2006, the UK Biometrics brand has dramatically grown in its field and is now a major player in the research, design, manufacture and distribution of biometric products.

UK Biometrics' sales director Steve Barnard said: "The re-brand has really helped to progress the company and we can now compete in a whole new arena.

"In seven years we have doubled our workforce at head office and during this time we've seen a dramatic rise in turnover.

"This is a very exciting time for the company and with our eyes firmly set on expansion, it's very reassuring to have the support of our Business Link adviser to guide us along the way."

UK Biometrics has developed many solutions for different sectors, ranging from an award-winning system to secure nursery schools through to the development of the FP300 door lock which uses fingerprint technology and can now be found on new homes from house builder Persimmon Homes PLC. Steve added: "We have a long-standing relationship with Business Link and the support we've received over the years has been fantastic.

"We've worked closely with our business adviser, Sarah Armstrong, as UK Biometrics has developed and it's been great to get an external perspective on our business ideas. Thanks to the support from Business Link and our hard working staff, we've really developed as a company and I'm looking forward to growing further."

Sarah said: "When Steve approached us for support, we used our knowledge of local suppliers and service providers to ensure he was able to speak to the right specialists to help meet the needs of UK Biometrics. With a passion, commitment and drive, the company has grown rapidly over the last 18 months and I'm confident the team will succeed in achieving its goals."

• For more information call (0845) 600-9006 or visit www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk