It's been another busy week for companies across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with household accessories supplier RKW and tile retailer Tile Mountain announcing major new partnerships.
Elsewhere Caravans In The Sun revealed that it is preparing to open a UK showground and Water Plus staff have stepped up to champion their community with various charitable donations.
Here we round-up six stories from across the region which you may have missed.
If you have a business story that you would like featured in our next round up, please email laura.watson@reachplc.com
TILE MOUNTAIN
Tile retailer Tile Mountain has signed up to sponsor this year's 'Big Sleep Out' event.
The annual initiative by Stoke City FC's Community Trust encourages supporters to brave the elements by sleeping out overnight to raise awareness and much-needed funds for homelessness charities in Stoke on Trent.
Now, as a long-standing platinum partner of the football club, the Stoke-on-Trent-based DIY retailer has thrown its support behind the event – and hopes to encourage many of its 200-strong workforce to take part.
It is taking place at the Franklyn Stand concourse at the bet365 Stadium on Friday, March 25.
Dean Quinn, Tile Mountain brand manager, said: "When we were approached to sponsor 'The Big Sleep Out' we didn’t hesitate to get involved.
"It's a fantastic initiative that helps raise awareness of the serious problem of increasing homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent and countless cities like it, and also helps generate much needed funds for the homelessness charities it supports.
"We'll be carrying out a big push internally to inspire our employees to take part and get that all important sponsorship money in to go towards the three great charities the event is supporting."
The charities that will benefit in 2022 are The Macari Centre, The Lyme Trust and The Gingerbread Centre.
Those wishing to take part must be 11 and over to attend, however, those under 18 can participate if they are accompanied by an adult or guardian and have parental permission to attend.
For more information about the Big Sleep Out email community@stokecityfc.com
RKW
Household accessories supplier RKW has announced a new joint partnership with Hoover.
The deal will see the Fenton company launch an exclusive seven-strong range of small domestic appliances (SDA) for the brand, which will include upright vacuums, cylinder vacuums and cordless stick vacuums.
The company says the new range – which will only be available through RKW – will help to drive its growth during 2022 and beyond.
Rob Sutton, CEO of RKW – which turned over £180 million last year – said: "We are delighted to be partnering with an exclusive range agreement for Hoover SDA UK.
"This is a huge opportunity to grow mutual business and we have already seen a fantastic response from our customers in regards to the exclusive range that RKW will be supplying from March 2022.
"We work with more than 5,000 retailers across the country. Many of our customers today began trading with us when we started 33 years ago and we have developed strong working relationships based on trust and integrity."
Tony Mellors, SDA account director at Hoover, said: "We're absolutely delighted to welcome Rob, Gary, Stephen and the entire RKW team onboard, as our chosen and valued national distributor for an exclusive range of outstanding Hoover floorcare products.
"RKW are exceptionally well respected within the industry and together we believe that this important joint trade partnership will allow us to strengthen and further build upon our valued relationship with all accounts and especially with an added focus on the independent retailers.
"The partnership will also help deliver an extended reach and depth of distribution to both parties, with a brand that is recognised for developing highly-efficient and innovative floorcare products for around the home."
CARAVANS IN THE SUN
A growing mobile homes business is opening a new showground in Staffordshire.
Caravans In The Sun provides 'dream' mobile homes for hundreds of customers across the UK every year.
Now the company, which has operated from offices in Blurton since its formation in 2005, is preparing to open a new showground in Cold Meece, Eccleshall.
The UK showground will be officially opened on February 19 and 20 where the company will also launch an exclusive new range.
Christopher Peers, of Caravans In The Sun, said: "The business has grown to the point where an exclusive UK showground is needed to provide the best possible choice and service to our hundreds of customers.
"On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of February we officially open the gates to our new showground, near Eccleshall, in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside.
"We will be delighted to welcome all customers and friends and explain everything you need to know about travelling, holidaying and living on beautiful caravan parks in sunny locations throughout Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal."
WATER PLUS
Staff at business water retailer Water Plus are doing their bit for their local community after they collected, donated and delivered gifts and essential items for those in need.
More than 70 presents were delivered for children at the Gingerbread Centre, in December, and pasta, tins of vegetables and other items have been pouring in during December, January and this month, for a workplace collection for Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank.
Alongside this, the company – whose main office is based in Campbell Road, Stoke – will focus on wellbeing and getting active this year, as part of efforts to raise funds for its charity of the year – North Staffs Mind.
Dan Barlow, who is an IT system testing analyst at Water Plus, said: "We've collected for the Gingerbread Centre for the past few years, and it's great to see how we're helping to make a difference to people's lives with what we're doing – thank you to everyone."
Andy Hughes, chief executive of Water Plus, said: "We've got passionate people who care about the community they work in and want to make a difference to deprived families locally too.
"Just like during the rest of the year, our colleagues have been thinking of others in the community.
"Alongside the charity fundraising, we’re helping young people into work and already have 14 apprentices with us this year – in roles from finance, to commercial and IT."
Chris Belyavin, fundraiser at The Gingerbread Centre, said: "A massive thank you from everybody at the Gingerbread Centre to staff at Water Plus for their amazing generosity once again.
"It's tough for families who have been made homeless, particularly during the winter months, so to get such support from a major, local company really is very much appreciated."
DIG-X
A Stafford business has become an ambassador for a networking programme designed to boost growth in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
IT and digital transformation consultancy DIG-X features in a new case study for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub's #GearingforGrowth2022 campaign.
DIG-X, which is based at the Hollins Business Centre, specialises in digital, cloud and data migration to support clients in improving their customer outcomes, security and compliance.
Managing director Robert McLaren took part in the Growth Hub's Peer Networks Programme last year – and has recommended the scheme to other businesses in the county.
Robert said: "I knew what my growth plan was, but I had specific issues to talk through.
"I didn't know this kind of thing was available for me and my initial expectations were relatively low, but I actually found it very motivational and I would recommend it to other people.
"What we found was that many of us were facing similar issues, despite our businesses all being different and operating in different industries. It was really worthwhile."
Fully funded by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) the Peer Networks Programme is part of Growth Hub's #GearingforGrowth2022 campaign and offers guided peer support for businesses.
Rebecca Parker, Growth Hub team manager, said: "We're delighted that Robert at DIG-X has shared his thoughts with us as part of our #GearingforGrowth2022 campaign and I would urge other businesses across the county to get in touch and find out what the Peer Network Programme could do for them."
The Peer Networks Programme will run until the end of March this year, and places are still available for businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who wish to take part.
PATHFINDER PROJECT
Businesses are being urged to take advantage of funded support which will help them to put innovation front and centre of their future growth.
The Innovation and Productivity Pathfinder project follows a successful bid for government UK Community Renewal funding.
It will enable employers to access expertise and support from Staffordshire University towards the development of innovation plans which are tailored to their businesses.
The project will be delivered through the university's Innovation Enterprise Zone and is the latest in a portfolio that supports programmes designed to kickstart business and economic growth in the region.
Marek Hornak, associate dean for innovation and enterprise at Staffordshire University, said: "We are delighted to offer this opportunity to all businesses in Newcastle and wider Staffordshire County Council districts.
"It will give them access to a student or graduate intern who will be placed in their business over 12 weeks to develop a bespoke innovation plan, working under the guidance of an experienced academic who will act as an innovation advisor.
"It will also allow access to some specialist equipment such as 3D printer, robot arms and laser scanners, and provide training for their workforce with the aims of fostering new ideas, creativity and innovation."
Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, Philip White, added: "We have a strong track record of working in partnership with Staffordshire University to attract funding to grow the region’s economy and the pathfinder is an important investment in the county’s business community.
"We would urge any eligible businesses to take advantage of this project."
