Serving the Teesside Business Community | 29
Applied Integration directors, from left, Lee Raywood,
Garry Lofthouse and Graham King are investing in R&D
facilities as they seek further contract wins like their
work to produce control systems for nuclear attack
submarines.
THE APPLIANCE
OF SCIENCE
S
Tees Business hears how Applied Integration aim to stay
one step ahead of their competitors
ystems integrators Applied Integration
have marked their 10th anniversary
by opening their first research and
development facility.
Based in Fusion Hive, Stockton’s new
multi-million pound business and innovation
centre, the new research base is designed
to help the Stokesley firm stay ahead of the
game as they deliver cutting edge solutions
to a range of 21st Century industries.
Formed in 2005, Applied Integration
provide complex control solutions to the
oil, gas, petrochemical and food processing
sector.
They also boast a number of high-profile,
long-term contracts to design and develop
automation and control systems for the UK’s
future nuclear deterrent, the Astute class
submarine, on behalf of the Ministry of
Defence.
Winners of the Teesside Manufacturing
Award in the 2015 North-East Business
Awards and twice shortlisted as Teesside
Company of the Year, Applied Integration is
riding on the crest of a wave 10 years after its
foundation.
However, directors Lee Raywood, Graham
King, Roy Coleman and Garry Lofthouse are
determined to ensure the company remains
at the forefront of their industry and achieve
their aim of doubling turnover to around £8
million over the next five years.
Along with the Ministry of Defence and
BAE Systems, Applied Integration’s 35-strong
team delivers cost-effective technical
solutions to such blue chip clients as ABB,
Esterline, Swinton Technology, Phillips 66 and
Lotte Chemical UK.
Director Garry says: “With the
advancements in modern day technology,
research and development is becoming
increasingly important for companies who
want to stay ahead of the game.
“Firms need to become leaner, smarter
and more efficient than their competitors.
The establishment of a specialist research
and development branch is designed to
ensure we remain one step ahead in the
ever-changing landscapes of today’s global
markets.”
Garry believes the new facility at Fusion
Hive is the embodiment of the firm’s mission
statement, “To push the boundaries of
technology with innovative and inspiring
solutions”
It will house a number of Applied
Integration’s most exciting R&D projects,
focusing on the development of new
systems, increasing the efficiency of
current processes and reducing costs and
development times.
Operated by The Forge, Teesside
University’s business hub, Fusion Hive at
Stockton’s Northshore is a three-storey,
36,000 sq ft business centre, offering stateof-the-art facilities for up to 60 technology
companies.
Heralded as a ‘magnet for enterprise’,
Stockton’s Northshore forms part of a
massive redevelopment scheme on the
banks of the Tees. The 56-acre, £300 million
scheme will ultimately provide 500,000 sq ft
of offices together with up to 85,000 sq ft of
retail, hotels, and family housing.
With close ties to Teesside University and
an environment in which to thrive, Applied
Integration expect their new R&D facility to
be a huge success and a driver for growth
and development for years to come.
Garry added: “With an ever important need
for innovation, the facility lays the foundations
for the pioneering work being carried out
here at Applied Integration.
“It will provide a stimulus for the firm to
become ever more efficient, whilst rising
to the very top in the field of industrial
automation.
“Our first 10 years have been incredible,
but we have no intention of resting on our
laurels. Our achievements so far will spur us
on as we focus on making our future even
brighten than our past, armed with a growing
research and development arm.”