Andrew Barraclough and Andy McLeish founded their innovative business just over a year ago, and specialise in the design of new products and packaging. They have quickly made their mark, pitching against the established London-based design agencies, to be awarded several new projects.

Andy McLeish explained: “Andrew and I met when we both worked for Reckitt Benckiser, the world’s largest manufacturers of household cleaning products. I have also had experience of bike and car design and development gained through working for Raleigh and Lotus. When Andrew and I decided to set up in business, we chose Sheffield as our northern base, and opened an office in the Kelham Island district. This decision has undoubtedly helped us to be extremely cost effective, compared to our Southern based competitors.”

Andrew Barraclough added: “We set out with a clear objective, to offer our blue chip clients purity of design which would delight their consumers and in turn would enable our clients to grow their shareholder value. Having a northern base meant we could be highly cost competitive whilst having a small southern based sales and marketing office to give unprecedented account service. We were aware of REACT and knew they had some of the best product development equipment in the country. Being able to access these facilities for modeling, by utilising their rapid prototyping facilities has proved invaluable during the early critical stage of our business growth. The fact that REACT is based on our doorstep in Rotherham was an added bonus. “Becoming our own bosses meant we were entering ‘unchartered’ waters and Philip Hudson, our REACT consultant, has given us access to a support network, including mentoring and on-going business advice in areas as diverse as company law, employment legislation and business planning implementation.”

Philip Hudson said: “We have also been involved in the design, specification and installation of a network and broadband solution to enable fast capable connectivity between Pure’s Sheffield and Reading bases. We also provided a virtual private network between Sheffield and Reading. “From the outset Pure recognised the additional benefit the Internet would play in its marketing strategy and we have worked closely to achieve an online presence, which compliments the company’s current marketing activity. Product development can be a long process and we are delighted to have been able to support Andy and Andrew. Some of their designs have already been turned into products and are already in consumer’s homes. In their first 12 twelve months of trading they have achieved a turnover in excess of ¼ million and recruited their first permanent staff, with further job creation planned in 2003. I am confident they have the talent and drive to achieve their ambition to become one of the biggest and most successful product realisation companies in the North.”