Press Release: New Coventry engineering firm gears up

A Coventry businessman is going back to the future after launching his own engineering firm.

David Cooper founded Pro-Mach Engineering in Aldermans Green last summer and has picked up several new contracts using a tried and tested formula – knocking doors.

He has won several contracts, has just bought a new machine thanks to a grant and is planning to employ staff in the next 12 months.

He has won several contracts, has just bought a new machine thanks to a grant through Enterprising Coventry and Coventry City Council's New Deal for the Community programme and is planning to employ staff in the New Year.

He said: “I did my apprenticeship at Dunlop Aerospace and have been in engineering for more than 25 years, so as well as building up a level of expertise I have also got a good range of contacts.

“I have used those to the full and it has not been scientific – I have just gone around and kept on knocking on doors and telling people what I can do.

“I have had it in my mind for a while to branch out on my own and realised that while there is still a demand for top quality engineering, there is plenty of machinery around at good prices which has allowed me to get up and running.”

He has already won work from local design and manufacturing companies as well as larger companies and educational institutions further afield.

He added: “We concentrate on development work and prototyping and do a lot of work for design companies.

“A lot of medium-sized companies pass work on to small specialist companies and again I have managed to gain work through them.

“I am just commissioning some new machinery and hopefully will be taking someone on in the early part of the year.”

Cooper had help from Enterprising Coventry, which provides a range of support to boost business and enterprise in the city. Enterprise coach Alan Malin based at the Chamber of Commerce helped him with a business plan and cash flow forecasts and with the New Deal for Communities grant application.

He was awarded £5,000 through NDC – which has been invested in the new machinery.

Malin said: “David is a very experienced engineer and it is great to see him go out on his own and winning work.

“Not all stories about the state of industry are positive but David is showing that – with the right experience and contacts – there is work to be had.

“He has approached setting up his own company in the right way and is working extremely hard.”

Enterprising Coventry provides a range of support to boost business and enterprise in the city through its delivery partners Coventry City Council, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Amazon Initiatives and the Women’s Business Development Agency.

For further information on Enterprising Coventry contact the freephone helpline 0800 030 5344.

Media enquiries:
Adam Dent
Advent Communications
2 Edison Building
Electric Wharf
Sandy Lane
Coventry CV1 4JA
Tel: 024 7663 3636