New start (From The Oxford Times)

New start

10:38am Thursday 10th December 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

An entrepreneur who sold his business only to see it fail under the new owners has decided to re-start it again. Stephen Ley sold Didcot-based medical wipe manufacturer Reed Shilling to Synergy Healthcare in 2007, but it shut down in August last year with the loss of 40 jobs.

Now Mr Ley, who subsequently started another firm, organic toiletries and cosmetics producer Marshall Curtis, has invested £500,000 in the new plant on the Southmead Industrial Park, creating eight jobs immediately, with the promise of up to 40 in five years.

Mr Ley said: “I am delighted to be offering at least eight jobs to local people in the height of the recession. It is a risk starting a new business at a time like this, but it is a calculated one because I have had undertakings from suppliers and from customers.

“It is also an industry I know. I would be disappointed if we did not reach a £1m turnover in a year, rising to £4m within five years, with a staff of about 40."

Mr Ley has also re-employed people who were made redundant by Synergy.

Alan Grant, 55, who has become the factory manager, said: “Last year was pretty traumatic for me. I left Synergy just before it closed, and was made redundant by a packaging firm so I was jobless.

“I was pleased to hear that Stephen was starting up in the hospital wet wipes business again — I jumped at the chance to join him.”

Tracey Spicer, 43, from Abingdon, has been recruited as Mr Ley's PA and customer services manager. She said: "I like working for a family firm and it's great to have job security after a turbulent 2008.”

Mr Ley added that production is set to begin this month with £300,000 of orders already secured from the UK and worldwide.

The factory will produce the Aquamed MA waterless bathing system which allows hospital patients to have more hygienic bed baths using the wipes.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey, who opened the new manufacturing unit at Southmead Industrial Park, said: "It's fantastic to see this serious investment in a manufacturing business at a time when people are still gloomy about the economy.

"Stephen has a strong track record — I visited his previous business. I am sure his new venture will be equally successful, and make a further contribution to Didcot being one of the best places in the country to do business."

Glyn Hall, president of Didcot Chamber of Commerce, added: “People are viewing Didcot as a vibrant town — a growth area — and a great place to live."