About Howells Patent Glazing Ltd
Howells Patent Glazing has been supplying aluminium powder-coated roof glazing solutions since 1973, when Walter Howells founded the company in Walsall. Howells began by offering just installation, but soon expanded to manufacture patent glazing products too.
The company now manufactures, supplies and installs domestic and commercial glazing in many places, such as railway stations, amusement parks, domestic homes, heritage sites, schools and care homes.
Howells makes products at its Cradley Heath factory. These include glazing bars, north lights, roof lights, canopies and vents. It transports and installs them across the UK.
Howells places great value in its workforce. It encourages people to grow by offering promotion within the company whenever possible – as well as the chance to study for appropriate NVQs. These qualifications, through Dudley College, include ICT and leadership and management.
Tracey Jackson, marketing manager, said: “At Howells we take pride in the fact that the business is not only run by family but it actually feels like a family too. As a small business we really care about our customers’ needs as well as the future of the company”.
Grant access support from Sandwell Council
In 2022, our Business Growth Team helped Howells secure grant funding via the AIM for GOLD programme.
Part-funded by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), AIM for GOLD was a scheme to help local small and medium-sized enterprises achieve their full potential. For example, by supporting investment in capital equipment or revenue investments such as updating websites or IT equipment.
Sandwell Council saw this as an important opportunity, as a local authority which views sustainable business growth as key to creating jobs, raising aspirations and unlocking community wealth for the whole of Sandwell.
So over four years, our Business Growth Team helped 92 businesses in Sandwell with face-to-face support and, in many cases, grant funding.
‘A delightful company to work with’
Howells was one of the businesses that benefited from AIM for GOLD’s financial support. With help from our Business Growth Team, the company got a £15k grant. This enabled Howells to pay for a new die and tooling, used to make a new three-way cap.
Tracey said: “AIM for GOLD was pivotal in helping us to continue to innovate post-Covid. Without this support we would have had to slow down the project and delay release indefinitely.”
Nicy Morgan was Howells’ adviser here on the Business Growth Team. She said Howells was a delightful company to work with.
“We champion all our Sandwell businesses – and Howells is a particularly special one, having its family roots firmly in the Black Country and then growing its manufacturing base in Sandwell. Well done to Tracey and team for securing the grant, and for the growth it has led to. I wish them all the best for their next steps.”
More about AIM for GOLD
Together with regional partners Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley councils, the AIM for GOLD scheme supported a total of 292 companies and awarded over £3.2m of grant funding.
In Sandwell, 49 businesses received at least £1000 in AIM for GOLD funding – with over £792,000 being awarded in all. This led to the creation of 37 new jobs and helped Sandwell companies leverage over £1.7m in private sector finance.
Our Business Growth Team at Sandwell Council was delighted to exceed all targets for delivering the scheme.
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