A Leyland company whose quality management software is used by blublue-chipnufacturers around the world is set for further growth with the help of a £300,000 loan from Lancashire Rosebud Finance, which is managed by Mercia Fund Managers on behalf of Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL).
The funding will allow QiSOFT to develop new mobile applications and the next generation of its software product, supporting the creation of a number of pivotal new roles to drive its development and expansion.
QiSOFT has been at the forefront of quality management software within the process manufacturing sector since 1986. QIS is used by customers worldwide for data collection, monitoring and analysis; improving product consistency, optimizing process efficiency, and providing critical information to prevent quality losses and reduce costs. Customers include Unilever, Danone, Jacobs Douwe Egberts and banknotes producer De La Rue.
The company, which employs seven people at its headquarters in Leyland, also has operations in the US and the Netherlands and agents in Sweden, Germany, France, Spain and South America. QiSOFT was founded in 1986 by Kevin Luxton, the Group CEO. Kevin is now based in the USA and the UK operation is run by Samuel Luxton, the Managing Director.
Peter Rooney, Investment Manager with Mercia Fund Managers, said: “QiSOFT is at the forefront of quality management software within the manufacturing industry, and its products have a proven track record in helping customers to increase yields and outputs. The company has an established presence in the US and Europe, but its products are now being used further afield and in the past year have been installed in companies in China, Russia, Thailand and Korea. This funding will help it to continue developing new and innovative products and maintain its position as a market leader.”
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: “This is a successful business specialising in developing and supplying software for Manufacturing Execution Systems to the worldwide process industry. It’s specialised work and I’m proud to say they’re operating from here in Lancashire.
“They were founded in Leyland and are still based here. They also have an office in the USA, taking advantage of that market. We’re proud that Lancashire’s Rosebud Finance is able to support such an interesting company and support their growth ambitions here in the UK.”
