A dynamic new Welsh company – which could create up to 40 new jobs – has been set up to manufacture and market an innovative device designed to revolutionise the parking control and security market.

Protectapost is a new, competitively priced, easy to install electronic stainless steel remote controlled bollard. It can be activated by key fob, electronically or integrated into various security controls such as house or business alarm systems.

The system can be used to control parking in towns and cities or safeguard access to private property and is already creating significant interest from the fast growing parking control/security sector
Invented by Mark Clement it is now being taken forward commercially by xenos Business Angel Julian Gillard – an entrepreneur who has set up Ambermist Ltd to refine, produce and market Protectapost.

Mark Clement said he was delighted to accept an equity investment in the business and sees it as an essential part of his strategy for growth.

Initial feedback from the market is so positive that Ambermist, which has begun operations from Bridgend’s Brynmenyn Industrial Estate, has the potential to create up to 40 new jobs.

The debt and equity deal was put together on behalf of Finance Wales by UK Steel Enterprise Fund Managers Ltd, with assistance from the xenos Business Angel Network. Working capital support was provided by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Ambermist Managing Director Julian Gillard said Protectapost had the potential to become a market leader and would be sold through a network of distribution agents
“The feedback we are already receiving is very encouraging. Protectapost has a number of unique features and can fill a niche market. There is nothing on the market to compete with it - its price and the ease of installation makes it a particularly attractive proposition.”

“As access and parking in town centres and general parking control becomes an increasing issue there is a growing demand for an effective system like ours.”
Commercial users would include architects, specifiers, car park operators, local authorities, construction companies, traffic management companies and car rental companies but there is also a large domestic market and it could be sold on the DIY market as a security deterrent to safeguard access to private homes and estate.

Mark Hislop of UK Steel Enterprise Fund Managers said he was delighted that the support and help from UK Steel Enterprise, working on behalf of Finance Wales, had not only provided vital backing to take an innovative idea into the market place but had enabled a new company to be set up which had the potential to create a substantial number of new jobs.

Chris Price, Manager, Commercial Banking who represented The Royal Bank of Scotland commented: “We are pleased with the deal. It is always regarding to work in partnership with enthusiastic parties to help our customers achieve their ambitions.”

More than 450 Welsh businesses – including 63 start ups have so far been assisted by Finance Wales which was created as a subsidiary of the Welsh Development Agency to help small and medium sized enterprises in Wales gain better access to finance for growth. The company’s e-mail address is www.protectapost.com.

For more information contact: Shan Ekin-Wood 029 2082 8692