Liverpool city region steel firm whose customers include Everton FC’s new £750m waterfront stadium is seeing revenues soar thanks to investment in digital technology.
Liverpool city region supplier of prefabricated pipework and steelwork, Webber (NW), is set to see turnover double to £12m in just two years.
Webber, whose clients have included Everton FC’s new £750m waterfront stadium and auto giant Jaguar Land Rover, has partnered up with the University of Liverpool’s Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) on its digital transformation.
And thanks to the subsequent streamlining of its operations Kirkby-based Webber has seen turnover take-off. In the first year after the project revenues grew from £5.9m to £8.9m. This year revenues are projected to hit £12m.
This support from the VEC was provided as part of The Horizons Project, a £5.2m programme funded by Liverpool city region’s £44m UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, to drive business innovation across the city region.
Horizons is a partnership between the VEC, Edge Hill University, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Nicky Silvano, managing director at Webber, said:
“By embracing digital innovation across all levels of the organisation, we’ve not only streamlined our operations but created a platform for sustainable growth.
The results have exceeded our expectations and we’re hugely grateful for the support from the team at Horizons.”
Webber’s digital overhaul includes the creation of a new digital suite and the development of a bespoke app to enhance how the business works with its clients.
It has introduced QR codes and near-field communication tags to track materials and staff progress, while replacing paper records with digital systems.
Staff are now using tablets for on-site client communications and demonstrations, contributing to a 10% increase in labour efficiencies.
The firm has also established an in-house digital training facility, supported by a successful grant application through Horizons, to ensure their workforce can fully utilise the new technology.
Jim Mooney, head of enterprise programmes at the VEC, added: “This project demonstrates the impact projects such as Horizons can have on SMEs across Liverpool city region.
By utilising the expertise across our leading universities, we’re able to support businesses such as Webber in overcoming innovation barriers to increase their productivity and efficiencies.”
Since its launch in November 2023, Horizons is set to have supported more than 100 SMEs across the city region by providing the expertise, facilities and funding to boost innovation.