EU funding will lead to new jobs at Lancashire firm

The funding from Horizon 2020, the EU’s biggest ever research and innovation programme, will allow Lancaster University-based Valuechain.com to further develop technologies it has successfully piloted with multi-national companies including Bombardier and Bentley Motors.

The DISCO project (Data Integrated Supply Chain Optimisation) will create around 10 new jobs in Lancashire.

The aim is to develop productivity, collaboration and intelligence solutions for advanced manufacturing companies, and enable small suppliers in sectors such as automotive or aerospace to work together more efficiently.

The project is the latest success for Valuechain.com, which has received several rounds of Rosebud Finance from Lancashire County Council to support its growth, and recently acquired Surrey-based Tricorn Systems in the first of series of planned acquisitions.

Tom Dawes, CEO of Valuechain.com, said: “Winning the prestigious Horizon 2020 funding means that Valuechain.com is officially recognised as one of Europe’s most innovative businesses.

“The funding will allow us to grow our talent base and collaborate with universities and other partners in our mission to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing firms.

“We now have the opportunity to become the Facebook of business-to-business collaboration.”

County Coun Niki Penney said: “We’re delighted to hear about Valuechain’s success that will directly lead to new jobs in the county.”