A North East business is mapping out expansion plans after investing in staff training and introducing a specialist surveying service, with the help of Business Link.

Mapline Services Ltd - which provides surveying solutions to industrial, commercial and residential clients - has secured its future and is now making inroads into new markets after three of its seven employees completed training in underground utility surveying. The introduction of the new service has led to contract wins with some of the major names within the construction industry.

Managing director Mick Dixon commented: “We were aware of the underground utility training course which would allow us to carry out underground utility surveying, used to locate and position detectable buried utilities. We realised this could be a good way to expand our services and attract new customers.”

The company contacted Business Link and skills adviser June Burton was able to advise on a long-term training and development strategy for the business. She was also able to identify funding streams towards the cost of the training and assisted the business in developing a successful application to the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC).

Mick commented: “With valuable support from Business Link we have been able to introduce a new service which has not only allowed us to retain our talented employees but to grow our business with a number of significant contract wins.”

Business Link has a team of expert advisers who offer advice, help and information to individuals and companies across the region, giving them access to the ‘business brains’ who will help to get their business idea off the ground, or grow their existing company. For further information about Business Link visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast or call 0845 600 9 006.