The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 29: Feb/March 2017 | Page 7

BUSINESS NEWS

Claims , Claims , Claims … Everybody ’ s doin ’ it … aren ’ t they ?

All of the companies with hordes of scientists in white coats in clean air labs developing the lifesaving drugs of tomorrow ...
The rows of engineers glued to their CAD CAM screens perfecting the damped action of the next Jagercedes sun blind ...
The industrial factories removing that last gram of fat from a ready micro tikka to allow them to label it “ slightly less deadly ”...
They are the businesses carrying out R & D – the really big ones we all know the names of ...
These are the businesses enjoying the tax breaks on research and development that allows them to stay big – surely there can ’ t be anything like that for a small limited company ?
But here ’ s the thing . R & D tax credits aren ’ t the preserve of the FTSE . In fact , the rates of tax credit for small and medium enterprises are far more generous per pound than the big company rate . So who is doing it ? Who are the firms HMRC are paying to innovate ?
There is the farming family with a successful ice cream enterprise that wants to develop lines with less fat or sugar and the same taste and consistency ( ish )…
There is the engineering company that developed an airtight vessel big enough to weld an entire car chassis in titanium ( pop quiz – why would you do that ? First correct answer to me gets a prize of my choosing … possibly involving bubbles )
How about linking a freeware CRM system with an old back office system that
many accountants use ? All of these projects are being carried out by small or even micro firms and have one thing in common – UNCERTAINTY … If your business is carrying out work to make things more efficient or , better technologically , or easier to produce and there is uncertainty in how to get there , then there is probably R & D involved . Carrying out R & D could mean a sizeable tax reduction which in turn could mean more resource for more or quicker development .
To find out whether a business is carrying out R & D work that could be claimed is going to take one phone call and it is not going to cost any more than the time to make the call – be careful though , that could be time logged against an R & D project so don ’ t waste it .
@ fuellinggrowth
For more info : www . thornebrownconsulting . co . uk
Ian Thorne Brown

INNOVATIVE TENDER LEADS TO SUCCESS

Elm Workspace , the Calne-based commercial interior design and fit out firm has recently completed a key project in the South West .
Elm won the tender to complete a project for ALD Automotive in Bristol , installing new furniture and fittings to ALD ’ s new premises .
To win the tender Elm decided to be innovative in their approach and came up with a new way of showcasing the products on offer .
Instead of simply sending samples , Elm Workspace constructed three distinct and separate showroom areas , just like an exhibition stand . This allowed the ALD Automotive team to see their proposed
items in a mocked-up version of what their final working environment would look like . They even liaised with the project architect to get the exact wall and flooring coverings to be used on the final build , as well as ALD ’ s marketing department to install appropriate manifestations to all glazed panels and use of the correct digital wall images .
Area 1 showed the range of desks , storage units , meeting tables and accompanying chairs , and Area 2 the sofas and soft seating . Whilst Area 3 showcased the high
staff benches and stools . This showed ALD Automotive the different work area options that would be open to their staff . The stands were fully powered and the facilities team on site used the area as their main base for several months .
Elm Workspace director Daren Spencer said : “ Working with the client and their main contractor , we had to overcome various site challenges . But the installation was a complete success and ALD Automotive are looking forward to working with Elm Workspace in
the future . This was down to the quality of the product supplied and the involvement with the client .”
To showcase the products Elm Workspace has on offer they have just launched a new showroom at their headquarters on the Porte Marsh Industrial Estate , Calne .
The space shows many products available on a 24 hour delivery , from desks to breakout furniture . Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm . To find out more visit : www . allfurniturestore . co . uk

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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017 7