Samantha Langtree established Long Eaton-based Rise and Recline in 2001 along with fellow director Nigel Morley. Both had previously been working in the furniture industry and spotted an opportunity to develop adjustable chairs for people with mobility issues which could 'rise and recline'.
The business, which originally employed just three people, was first housed in one small unit.
However, over the years, the product range expanded to include adjustable beds and settees and today the company is based in three units, employing a total of 26 people and turning over in excess of £3 million.
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Emda awarded a £90,000 grant to Rise and Recline to enable them to purchase and fit out their new 744 sq metre premises on Manor House Road, Long Eaton. Some of the equipment that has been purchased includes a cutting table, a compressor system and a new van. in addition, a mezzanine floor has been built to provide extra storage space and a frame making workshop will be developed. The grant has also enabled Rise and Recline to create three new jobs.
The Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) grant which Rise and Recline received is a discretionary scheme delivered by the Regional Development Agencies, on behalf of the Department for Enterprise, Business and Regulatory Reform (formerly the Department of Trade and Industry). It is aimed at businesses which need financial help to invest in land and buildings or plant and machinery in order to expand and modernise.
Rise and Recline deals directly with 500 retailers across the UK and manufactures furniture to order. This gives the business a competitive advantage, according to Samantha: "We are doing very well because the furniture that we manufacture is completely bespoke and we can turn things round very quickly. The SFIE grant has been a tremendous boost for us because it has enabled us to move into our new unit and invest in the equipment we need to get to the next level."
(JM)
