Growth fund provides major boost for high-end audio firm

Sheffield-based Wilson Benesch, which makes high-end loudspeakers and turntables for domestic and professional use, used a £50,000 loan from the growth fund to buy tooling equipment.

It used that to develop its Cardinal Loudspeaker, which sells for £54,950 and features carbon fibre-based composites.

Wilson Benesch began developing the Cardinal speaker around four years ago. The first pair has just been shipped to Moscow and six more orders have been taken.

Craig Milnes, Wilson Benesch design director, said: “We are unique in this field in that we have a fully integrated design 
and manufacturing capability in both metals and advanced carbon fibre composites. From the research and development to the manufacturing – it is all done in Sheffield.

“The level of control that we have ensures that we can consistently produce components and finished products of the highest quality.”

Wilson Benesch has 17 staff and exports to more than 30 countries.

“The plant and equipment required to create these systems is very expensive,” said Mr Milnes. “The materials are also extremely expensive which is why we approached Finance Yorkshire for investment.”

It used the funds to buy a CNC machine, additional resin transfer moulding technology and other tooling equipment. Finance Yorkshire is backed by the Government and European Union.