Michelin Development helps Dundee business speed up production to meet demand from around the world for its cleaning products
A development grant from Michelin Development is helping a Dundee-based business transform its manufacturing process to meet increasing global demand for its products.
Since its launch six years ago, DEW products, manufactured by Ecoanolytes UK, has seen sales take off from all corners of the world.
DEW stands for ‘Dundee Electrolysed Water’ and its sustainable range of home, personal, child and pet care cleaning products have been well-received by a national and international audience due to the fact they contain no hazardous additives.
Formulated purely from electrolysed water sourced from the city, and manufactured with a company-wide refillable policy to reduce packaging, their approach is proving a winning formula with customers in consumer and commercial sectors.
To meet demand the company has invested in its second automated bottling line at its West Gourdie Industrial Estate base, which enables the manufacturing team to improve their operational efficiency and roll out DEW products 100 times faster than before its installation.
It is also scaling-up its team to create more than 40 new roles across the business, and are currently looking at opportunities to expand into larger premises.
Erik Smyth, CEO of Ecoanolytes UK, said: “This has been a transformative 12 months in terms of our brand positioning.
“One of the biggest catalysts for growth has been our appearance on a major TV shopping channel, as well as branching out more widely in the USA.
“Michelin Development has been instrumental in our success and they have been with us right from the beginning of our business journey.
“Their support has been hugely helpful.
“The process to apply is straightforward and the advice and support Michelin Development offers for businesses across Dundee and Angus is invaluable.”
The development grant is the second package of support provided to DEW products by Michelin Development after the business benefitted from a low-interest loan in 2022.
As well as putting the plant’s automation on a firm footing, the funding has been used to create a new brand identity for DEW’s product range to support the sales process, including an eye-catching look and feel for its new Janitorial range, aimed at the commercial cleaning industry.
The support is also helping strengthen the compliance process, enabling DEW products to enter new markets with the resources in place to navigate local regulations in different countries.
Brian Cairns, of Michelin Development in Dundee, said: “Ecoanolytes UK is taking ambitious and achievable steps towards major growth, with sustainability at the heart of its operations.
“This is just the type of business we are geared up to help.
“Michelin Development is not just about financial support. Our aim is to contribute to the economic regeneration and long-term prosperity of the region.”
“The programme provides an opportunity for Michelin Development to support the regeneration of the local business community and in particular the creation of quality sustainable jobs”.
“We support high-potential, small and medium-sized enterprises in and around the Dundee and Angus region, through services including unsecured, heavily subsidised loans, grants, and free, independent, and expert advice to pave the way for growth.”
Targeted at manufacturing and service sector (B2B) organisations, with a viable business plan to create sustainable jobs, loans of up to £100,000 are available, and they can be used to lever additional funding from other sources.
Michelin Development is backed by a steering committee made up of organisations including Michelin, Angus Council, Business Gateway, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, Dundee City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Brian Cairns added “Michelin Development is here to support employment in and around the city by helping high-potential firms and entrepreneurs turn their ambitions into reality.
“Manufacturing or service sector (B2B) businesses with fewer than 250 employees may be eligible for support.
“We welcome applications that are supported with a viable business plan, relevant financial accounting information, and that can also show the potential to create high-quality jobs.”
(Published 19/02/2025)