Scarborough tech company to boost services and production after successful Made Smarter grant bid

A GRANT of almost £10,000 is helping a Scarborough tech company boost services and production buy investing in new equipment as it looks to expend its client base.

Castle Group Ltd, which offers a range of services to monitor levels of noise and vibration in the environment, will now be able to speed up its production processes and provide extra support to clients.

Castle Group Managing Director, Simon Bull said: “The grant means we can purchase a system allowing us to test the functionality of vibration accelerometers – which are devices that measure vibration levels, whether that’s in a workplace or out in the environment.

“This in-turn means we can provide test certificates to customers detailing the specific performance profile of their own measurement devices.

“Part of our five-year business growth plan is to expand our calibration offer and increase the number of customers who use this service. The capability provided by the grant will allow us to achieve this.”

Mr Bull said that as well as being able to offer a new service, the equipment would also speed up production testing of new products, allowing the firm to increase automation and free-up staff for other area of the Scarborough tech company.

The grant came following a successful bid to the Government’s Made Smarter programme, which is run in conjunction with York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

The Growth Hub’s Mike Pennington said: “This is a great win for one of the companies which make up North Yorkshire’s coastal economy. I’m looking forward to seeing the Castle Group go from strength to strength.”

What is Made Smarter?

Made Smarter is a national programme, managed in our region by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub – part of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Made Smarter was launched following an industry-wide consultation on how best to grow UK manufacturing through digital technologies, innovation and skills, and concludes in March 2025. 

York and North Yorkshire businesses in the manufacturing sector, including food or drink, are invited to apply for a Made Smarter grant.

For further details, email Mike Pennington at mike.pennington@ynygrowthhub.com or view York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub’s Made Smarter resources.