SPONSORED BY TASCOMP
INNOVATION
FINALIST FINDLEY ROOFING
The building trade may not be renowned for technological innovation , but Blackhall Collierybased Findley Roofing has developed an app that ’ s revolutionising the way things work .
The app captures photographic evidence of projects to display to the customer , before building a quote with the integrated pricing structure .
That means all quotes are standardised in terms of layout and how they are left with the customer – continuing a tradition of innovation for the 30-year-old firm , which has also recently launched a renewable energy solutions division .
Innovators – Tascomp managing director Ashley Tizard ( left ) hands the Innovation gong to OGEL director Gary Giles .
WINNER
OGEL
Stockton-based OGEL – which specialises in making modular building systems from waste plastic – has already been seen on TV ’ s Dragons ’ Den and will soon feature on another BBC show .
And reflecting on a whirlwind few years , OGEL director Gary Giles recalled the exact moment his pioneering business journey began .
He said : “ It was Wednesday , February 4 2015 at 3.45pm – I just had an idea and had to follow it through . The idea was to build a flood defence – that was it . Someone was talking about flood defences and from that idea came different ways of building walls and roofs and floors .”
Since then , OGEL ’ s journey has seen it become one of the UK ’ s most innovative premium garden room providers .
Gary said : “ I suppose we ’ ve won it because it ’ s a product from a recycled source which has a variety of uses – it ’ s green , it ’ s reusable .
“ One big thing we ’ re doing now is use waste polystyrene and we have the patent for USA , China , Europe . All these countries have their own waste polystyrene so we can just license or sell the idea abroad as a going concern .”
And reflecting on the extra profile winning a Tees Business Award will mean , he added : “ I ’ ve talked to a few people who were saying , ‘ We didn ’ t know what you did ’. They Googled us and said , ‘ Wow , we didn ’ t know about this ’, despite us being on the TV and Dragons ’ Den .
“ In a few weeks ’ time , we ’ ll be on BBC ’ s Your Home Made Perfect , which broadcasts in June or July . So yes , 2023 is set to be a big year for us .”
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Ashley Tizard , managing director of Tascomp , said : “ OGEL ’ s innovative approach to sustainable building is a breath of fresh air in the construction industry . Their use of recycled plastic to create durable , energy-efficient buildings is a win-win for the environment and the economy – well deserving winners !”
FINALIST
NEW WORLD FINANCIAL GROUP
New World believes financial planning and advice should be available to all – hence its introduction of the UK ’ s first subscription service for under-50s .
Founded in 2021 and based at Level Q in Stockton , New World says its subscription model allows people without huge sums to invest to receive full financial planning .
Working with tech partner Ningi , New World has so far invested £ 50,000 into technologies that help streamline processes . And since launching the U50s subscription service last July , more than 60 people have signed up .
FINALIST SEER BI
Middlesbrough-based SeerBI is a data science and AI development organisation focused on the maritime , logistics and traditional industry sectors .
It has a unique approach to applying AI and machine learning to its chosen sectors , having developed cutting-edge technology that streamlines operations and improves efficiency , resulting in cost savings for clients .
Additionally , its solutions have the potential to greatly enhance safety in the maritime industry . Its seven-strong workforce includes two full-time data scientists , a senior data analyst and a UI / UX designer .
40 | Tees Business