Boulder Developments Ltd

Boulder Developments Limited is a manufacturer and distributor of eco-building products to the construction, DIY and green energy sectors. It is recognised as the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of high-performance foil insulation under the brand name SuperFOIL.

Why engage with Invest to Grow?

The company’s engagement with the Invest to Grow programme enabled Boulder to design, develop, and create a purpose-built multifoil production machine.  The machine would completely revolutionise their ability to locally produce their products. This was incredibly important to the continued success of the business, as it would reduce reliance on overseas imports, helping to de-risk the business.

What has been the Impact of Invest to Grow?

The project took place at a time of significant macroeconomic disruption and challenges, which led to serious supply chain disruptions that put financial strain on the business. This was exasperated by the fact that at the time Boulder were limited to how much product they could manufacture in-house and instead relied heavily on overseas production. The investment supported by Invest to Grow enabled the company to onshore their production facilities, safeguarding the future of the business and enabling them to pursue additional product development activity not previously possible. As a result of the investment, SuperFOIL has been enjoying a period of significant growth. In a two-year period, the company has more than doubled the number of employees from 32 to 65.

Managing Director, Will Bown commented, 'The investment allowed us to triple the number of rolls of SuperFOIL produced per day, with the capability of taking that all the way up to a ten-fold increase in capacity once we’ve fully settled into our new capabilities. What’s more, it has allowed us to begin planning the development of an entirely new range of products'.

The company were awarded grant and loan funding from Invest to Grow. The loan award provided Boulder with vital funding to begin the development of its multifoil machine, which ultimately cost over half a million pounds to fully develop and build.

Will Bown stated, 'The financial support received served to ease the massive financial strain of the investment and has enabled us to achieve the incredible growth of both our business and production capabilities'.

Will Bown concluded by saying, 'Our experience with the Invest to Grow programme has been an undeniably positive one, both in terms of the benefits to our business and in the interactions we’ve had with the team. The Invest to Grow team truly demonstrated what genuine support looks like. They opted to adapt to changing circumstances and provide as much support as possible to our project, and the results were incredible'.