Pictured: (l-r) Steff Wright, CEO, Gusto Group Ltd & Barrie Billinghay, business advisor, iNet

A rainwater harvesting company based in Collingham, Nottingham, has announced that it has created five new jobs and safeguarded 44 full time positions by bringing manufacturing back under one roof.

Freerain Ltd received £9,600 worth of funding support from the Sustainable Construction iNet (iNet) in August 2011, which enabled the company to undertake an in-depth study into the potential market for a range of UK-manufactured water storage tanks. The results of the study added an important element to the decision making process, which resulted in Freerain’s parent company, Gusto Group Ltd, purchasing a rotational moulding firm and relocating the Freerain fulfilment service onto the same site where they now manufacture a range of underground polyethylene water storage tanks capable of holding up to 10,000 litres.

Freerain’s managing director, Terry Nash said: “The iNet support has been invaluable. The money was a huge help to getting the research study started but the support and enthusiasm of the advisors is second to none. We are now manufacturing in house instead of importing tanks from Germany and have a renewed confidence in our ability to successfully compete in this growing market.”

Barrie Billinghay, business advisor, iNet added: “iNet is a results driven organisation and it is encouraging to see the statistics from Freerain. We are not only a funding body but a hub for industry knowledge and we can give firms the tools they need to succeed with innovation.”

iNet operates throughout the East Midlands identifying and assisting businesses to develop innovative techniques and services by offering business support and match-funding up to £10,000 per project.