A Northfield trophy and giftware engraving business has expanded thanks to an innovation programme funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.
Quintet International opened a shop in Chatham Road, Northfield, last year in response to demand for its range of pewter giftware and award trophies.
Now, with the help of a £10,000 grant from Innovation Networks, trading and operations director Ponny Lo has expanded the business, creating an innovative on-site engraving service in both Chinese and English.
Working with the Birmingham Chinese Society, Ponny applied to Innovation Networks which is funded by AWM and the Government Office for the West Midlands.
The programme supports groups of West Midlands small and medium sized companies such as Quintet, who are collaborating on the development of an innovative product, process or service.
Ponny said: "This was the first time we have applied for funding through such a scheme and the grant has been very useful.
"We have already benefited from working with the other companies in our network that all brought their own skills into the group to help us achieve this big step forward."
Mary Harpley, director for enterprise and innovation at AWM, said: "Innovative Networks is an excellent scheme for small and medium sized businesses who have that great idea but don't quite know how to take it forward.
"The programme has helped more than 300 firms develop innovative products, services or processes and made a real difference to businesses in the region.
"Quintet is an excellent example of a small company really embracing technology and being able to carve out, or engrave, a niche for themselves in the market."
