A new and innovative approach to solving business problems has been launched at the Slough Trading Estate.
The Bakery – ‘open innovation’ specialists – have joined Europe’s largest trading estate under single ownership, bringing their proven expertise in finding innovative entrepreneurs that can solve big business challenges to customers on the Estate and companies in the surrounding Thames Valley.
The Bakery acts as a ‘match-maker’ between small and large companies, one having the solution to the others’ business issue. These can range from finding better ways to communicate with customers as to how to drive further efficiencies through a supply chain. With over 300 customers on the Trading Estate from a range of sectors, this project will provide the opportunity to find solutions to their individual needs and help drive forward their business growth.
Since its launch three years ago, The Bakery has worked on successful projects with companies including Unilever, BMW, Panasonic, Stella Artois and Barclays, helping them deliver creative, modern innovative solutions.
The launch was held at Slough Aspire and was attended by the founders of The Bakery, and representative from SEGRO as well as potential customers from the Trading Estate.
Andy Gulliford, SEGRO’s Chief Operating Officer SEGRO, said:
“In an increasingly complex and dynamic world, we recognise the importance of innovation and want to support our customers who continue to be an integral part of UK PLC. We’re delighted to welcome The Bakery to the Slough Trading Estate, helping connect our customers with a global network of innovators.
“We are more than a provider of buildings – we understand our role in the community and the opportunities we can create for people to work locally in thriving businesses.”
Tom Salmon, Co-Founder of The Bakery, said:
“We are thrilled to be working with SEGRO and their customers on the Slough Trading Estate to bring collaborative innovation to Slough. As the first London accelerator to expand to this region, we firmly believe that this initiative will help to kickstart corporate open innovation in the same way as accelerator ecosystems in Silicon Valley, Tech City and other clusters are doing; attracting, growing and developing entrepreneurs alongside forward thinking corporates, contributing to a bright future for Thames Valley business.”
Gerard Grech, CEO Tech City UK, commented:
“Collaboration between startups, SMEs and corporates is fundamental to continuing the rapid growth of UK tech – Digital Tech Industries are growing 32% faster than the rest of the UK economy – as young companies look for market validation. A recent KPMG study also found that almost 90% of corporates stated its essential to work with startups to promote innovation. Since its launch in 2012, The Bakery has been providing startups with a platform for this collaboration and its very exciting to see this partnership announced and an exciting new tech cluster developing in Slough.”
The Slough Trading Estate is a popular location for businesses in the Thames Valley, having access to a large, skilled workforce within the catchment area which is set to expand following planned transport improvements including Crossrail and the Western Rail Access to Heathrow. SEGRO is committed to continual improvement the amenities onsite for customers and to building the Slough Trading Estate as a market-leading location for business ranging from start-ups and SMEs through to national and multinational businesses.
