IT’S BOLLARDS TO SYDNEY FROM COVENTRY MANUFACTURER

A leading manufacturer of anti-terrorism measures, based in Coventry, has helped to secure one of the busiest railway stations in Sydney from potential vehicle attacks.

Safetyflex Barriers has installed a security shield of bollards outside Redfern Station, a major inner-city transport hub with more than 70,000 journeys a day. The bollards can stop attacks from vehicles travelling up to 80mph.

It is the latest project to have been completed with Australian distributors EZI Security Systems as part of an export drive by Safetyflex Barriers, which has

“This is the first time that our bollards have been given a makeover but the resulting design makes a fantastic statement reflecting the culture of the local community and the new look of the station entrance” seen the company strike deals across Northern Europe, USA and Australia.

Marcus Gerrard, Director at Safetyflex Barriers, said: “This was a particularly enjoyable project as it formed part of major improvement works to a high-profile station in Sydney and

Midlands Engine Investment Fund reaches £50 million milestone

A total of £50 million has been injected into the region’s firms with the support of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).

This latest milestone is the result of making more than 150 investments in firms across the Midlands and includes just over £19 million of private sector leverage.

A year since its full launch, the £250 million fund, operated by the government’s British Business Bank, has provided finance to a wide range of firms. The most active sector to receive investment has been manufacturing. Other key areas include agri-tech, life sciences and transport technologies.

Patrick Magee at the British Business Bank, said: “The Midlands Engine Investment Fund addresses a market gap in finance available to SMEs across the region. Investment can often be crucial in allowing firms to explore emerging opportunities and expand. Without it, their growth could stall.” involved local Aboriginal artists transforming our bollards.

“This is the first time that our bollards have been given a makeover but the resulting design makes a fantastic statement reflecting the culture of the local community and the new look of the station entrance.”

Cybersecurity firm opens Midlands office after £1m investment

A cybersecurity company whose platform could help safeguard critical infrastructure and smart transport systems from attack is to open a base in the Midlands after completing a £1 million funding round.

CyberOwl has secured investment from Warwickshirebased Mercia and the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund.

It has also received funding from 24 Haymarket. The funding will allow it to open an office in Birmingham.

CyberOwl was founded in 2016 as a Coventry University spin-out. It launched Medulla last year to provide early warning of potential cybersecurity breaches in connected industrial systems and is working with some leading defence, utilities and maritime organisations.