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DEVELOPMENT company Westleigh is helping invest in Kettering's economy by encouraging expanding companies to stay within the town rather than relocate to larger cities within the region. The Leicestershire-based company has had a string of successes with a number of office parks it has built throughout the Midlands, and has now brought that winning formula to Orion Park, Kettering - its first commercial venture within the area. Orion Park is located within the Venture Park area of Kettering, just off the A14. Local success story, Shuttleworth Business Systems Ltd, has set a precedent for other local companies by taking 7,000 square feet of office space off-plan. The company, which provides software and technical services to the reprographics industry and has over 500 live installations worldwide to its name, is currently based at Graphic House, Club Street, Kettering. The 26 year old company has enjoyed considerable growth over the last 3 years and is looking to relocate to Orion Park when building is completed in September. Shuttleworth Business Systems now has an annual turnover in the region of £4million and employs 48 people, the majority who are based in Kettering. Worldwide users are supported from the Kettering HQ, with sites as far a field as South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and Kenya. Wholly owned by the Shuttleworth family, the company has made a number of competitor acquisitions and technological investments in recent years which have seen the company establish itself as the clear market leader in the supply of Management Information Systems to the print industry. When first formed in 1981 the company operated from an office in the centre of Kettering and employed just 2 staff. Joint Managing Director Paul Deane said: “We were drawn to the Orion Park development because of its ideal location. Being close to the A14 and having access to all the local amenities makes it the ideal headquarters for our business. The philosophy of Shuttleworth has always been to provide its employees a business and working environment that is both stimulating and fun to work within. The staff have been responsible for driving the growth over the last few years and moving to new offices will provide a great platform for us to further grow the business. This is indeed a very exciting time for Shuttleworth Business Systems.” Westleigh's office parks in Lutterworth and Coalville have already won praise from North West Leicestershire District Council and local MP Andrew Rowbathon who've said they responded directly to local industry needs and changes, as well as drawing more business to those areas, ultimately boosting the local economy. “We've used a similar theory for Kettering – and it's a very simple one,” said Westleigh's Property Manager Matt Moore. “Ultimately, the town wants to keep local businesses local and to encourage successful businesses to stay in the town so that their expansion brings more employment opportunities for local people and the local economy is supported. Shuttleworth Systems is a leading high technology company with worldwide operations and is just the type of business Kettering needs to keep.” |
