Success is innovative for new firms at Hillington Park

HILLINGTON Park Innovation Centre has completed its second year in operation with a higher-than-average survival rate among its fledgling companies, sparking plans for the possible opening of sister centres across Scotland.

Based in Renfrewshire on the outskirts of Glasgow, the Hillington Innovation Centre is currently about 90% full as the home to 40 hi-tech companies. Of the 50 businesses that have operated there at one time or another, only five have ceased trading, producing a survival rate of 90% over the two-year period.

This compares to figures from the UK Science Park Association, which shows a 57% survival rate after two years, and the UK Business Incubation Association, where two-year survival rates are 80%. Among the wider Scottish community, between 30% and 50% of SMEs are estimated to survive between three and five years.

Tom Ogilvie, director of Hillington Innovation, says the centre's success lies in the extremely hands-on nature of the assistance given to companies. Guidance is also available from an array of high-profile entrepreneurs - Chris Gorman, the centre's chairman, Kevin Bradshaw, Ian Ritchie and Jane Karwoski.

"We're not just dropping in for a cup of coffee every couple of days," Ogilvie said. "We live in this building.

"We almost become part of the management team, at least for a while."

More than half of the centre's client companies are still expanding their business. About 10 have now graduated on into independent accommodation, with most taking up office space in the city centre of Glasgow.

Having met seven of the nine objectives set out when Hillington Innovation launched in November 2000, Ogilvie said there was now a possibility the centre's board would look to open up elsewhere.

"There are no details as yet, but the board (of Hillington Innovation) have indicated that they would be willing to consider that."

He hopes to discuss the possibilities with Robert Crawford, the head of Scottish Enterprise, early in the new year.

Scottish Enterprise is represented on the board of directors, and would also likely play a significant role in the opening of any future centres.

Other board members include Caledonian Land, which is the main private partner in the Hillington joint venture, as well as Ian McGeoch of Mackays Stores and a representative from the University of Paisley.

-Dec 2nd KRISTY DORSEY The Herald