Offshore Energy Sector Pushes Aquaseal Rubber to Success

Aquaseal Rubber Ltd. is celebrating a hat trick of successes after creating two new jobs, increasing turnover by more than £100,000 and seeing profitability double with the support of a grant from Investment for Growth. 

The company, which is based in Longbenton, North Tyneside is a family owned business manufacturing industrial-strength rubber and polymers for a number of sectors including marine, defence, automotive, agricultural and food industries. It also now operates in the offshore energy sectors since 49% of the business was acquired by Barrier Group to help increase Aquaseal’s presence in wider markets.

In December last year, the team took the decision to refresh its website with the aim of improving the company’s web presence and in turn attract new customers.

Since the launch of the new website, Aquaseal has enjoyed a steady stream of custom with some fresh orders coming from bigger companies placing larger orders than ever before, especially from businesses operating within the off shore energy sector. As such, turnover has increased by more than £100,000 and profitability doubled, securing employees’ jobs at Aquaseal as well as creating two further positions with the company.

Commenting on the project, Jason Armstrong, managing director of Aquaseal Rubber, said: “The grant has allowed us to make our web presence much better, giving us a more professional look and feel to the company, better communicating what Aquaseal is all about. We can confidently show our new and existing customers who we are, what we can do and how we can help them and their business.” 

Jason and his team made the application to Investment to Growth in December 2013, and by March this year, Aquaseal’s application had been approved, with funds being made available only three weeks later.

Mr Armstrong continued: “Thanks to the help from Investment for Growth the results of this project are way beyond what we ever expected – we’re delighted. I would not hesitate to recommend my advisor to other business owners; in fact, I’ve passed his contact information on to two companies in the local area already.” 

Robert Bowles, Chairman of the Barrier Group, said: “Aquaseal has enjoyed a strong period of growth as part of the oil & gas and offshore renewables supply chain. We are very pleased that the business is continuing to look forward and develop new opportunities through programmes such as the Investment for Growth grant. It demonstrates that dynamic and innovative smaller suppliers can secure a place in the market.” 

Colin Bunn, business adviser at Investment for Growth, added: “Jason and the team at Aquaseal Rubber are a great example of how the use of an up-to-date website and digital marketing plan can fundamentally change the prospects of a company. 

“Aquaseal Rubber is now reaching a much wider audience and this is translating itself into new orders and improved profitability. Jason is confident that his business is now better placed to take every advantage of the upturn in the regional economy and will continue to grow – I wish him and his team the very best of luck.”  

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