Based right here in Angus, HBB Geosales Ltd are specialists in creating, supplying, and installing some pretty important stuff: geosynthetic liners, geotextiles, and erosion control products. Their work helps across all sorts of sectors, from fixing riverbanks and tackling soil erosion to vital peatland restoration. They even make pre-welded panels that save time and reduce waste on-site across multiple applications, from stormwater management to stockpile covers.

To get their innovative solutions in front of more people, HBB Geosales looked to Angus Council’s SME Start & Grow Grant. They needed funding to attend two big national trade shows that attract a global audience – a perfect way to connect with potential clients they might not otherwise reach.

HBB Geosales attended both the Recycling and Waste Management Expo in Birmingham and Futurescape in London. These shows were a huge success, leading to engagement with numerous potential customers and securing over 20 positive leads.

The grant also helped HBB Geosales boost their online presence, with investment in search engine optimisation (SEO) for their website. This ongoing work is designed to drive more traffic to their site and generate even more leads and has already led to enquiries from the USA and South Africa, resulting in around £100k worth of business. The SEO is seen as a key marketing tool and is something the business continues to invest in.

Shaun McLean, Business Development Manager at HBB Geosales, said: “HBB are very grateful for the financial support from Invest in Angus, it allowed us to attend two high profile trade shows which we wouldn’t have otherwise attended. The SEO work is vital for keeping our products at the top of online searches and is becoming even more important as AI is changing the way potential clients search for solutions.”

The Angus Council SME Start & Grow Business Grants were funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Grants were delivered by Angus Council’s Invest in Angus team, supported by Business Gateway.