Sixty new jobs created at Innovation Factory

Management at the Springfield Road business hub carried out a tenant survey which revealed that 63 new jobs have been created, 59% of companies have seen an increase in business, 68% have innovated to adapt to the new economic circumstances and 63% predict an increase in business over the next six months.

Majella Barkley, Centre Director at Innovation Factory said: “We have seen really promising levels of job creation among small businesses with many reporting an increase in demand for their products and services. It’s been a difficult time for businesses around the world, but we are encouraged that companies in Innovation Factory are looking to the future.”

One of the companies based at Innovation Factory is TriMedika, which produces the TRITEM non-contact thermometer. It has seen demand increase substantially during the pandemic. The company has recruited five new sales and marketing staff and is planning to add two more to its International sales team in 2021. It is also creating another post to assist the company’s project engineer, who is developing a new connected smart thermometer.

Chief Operating Officer, Julie Brien said:“TriMedika has supplied hospital and clinics with TRITEMP for years as it is the most accurate and robust non-contact thermometer on the market. Its recognition as best in class has generated interest from many other sectors including prisons, schools, manufacturing and leisure as they want to use a quality device to ensure safety of their staff”.

“During the early lockdown, we found companies were trying to plan for when things would open again. The feedback we received was that people wanted to be able to go back to work. A lot of people value having a routine and having a dividing line between office and home.”

Innovation Factory has reacted to the pandemic by supporting businesses, offering flexible workspaces and providing detailed and effective safety measures that have allowed them to operate as normally as possible.

Innovation Factory is owned by Belfast City Council and operated on their behalf by Oxford Innovation. The £9.1m business hub was funded by Belfast City Council and Invest NI with support from the European Regional Development Fund.

Customers include a range of start-ups and growing businesses in a variety of sectors including digital services, creative industries, business services, financial services and research and development.

Visit: www.innovationfactoryni.com

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