‘Developing & Distributing’
/SFXC have been tenants at Newhaven Enterprise Centre for over five years. Oliver Dredge tells us what it was about the centre that attracted him to base his growing business here.
SFXC are smart material suppliers specialising in the development, manufacture and distribution of plastics and coatings for use in the medical, architectural, automotive and fashion industries.
Oliver first started working with smart materials 15 years ago but, recognising at an early stage the future was in sustainable, eco-friendly products, set-up SFXC in 2015. Since starting up, Oliver has continued to develop and grow the business, and over the past two years, SFXC have worked closely with the medical industry to develop materials for thermometry which played a big part in developing a thermometer for specific use during the COVID pandemic.
This is a high-tech product with many applications and SFXC are collaborating with a number of high-profile companies to develop products as diverse as fridge indicators to monitor temperature and extend the shelf life of milk, to patches that sense the thermal heat of a tumour and can be used at home to help identify breast and testicular cancer.
“It isn’t always easy to make what we do relatable and accessible which is why I have agreed to work with Andy Benson of Bumblebee Conservation Trust on a stand at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. The stand will include smart sensory materials to demonstrate how every time a bee lands on a flower it leaves a mark. There will be a coating on the floor which, when children walk over it and move away, it leaves a mark which slowly disappears, there will also be micro-crystals which will break and release micro-encapsulated scents to add another dimension.”
- Oliver Dredge
Due to the nature of the product, enquiries are usually from organisations that have a knowledge of the material, but not necessarily how it can be applied to their project. Oliver believes that working in collaboration with organisations such as Tate Modern helps to raise the profile of the business and the unique knowledge, experience, and skills SFXC can offer.
Despite his product having a global appeal, Oliver chose Newhaven Enterprise Centre as his base, primarily for security and 24/7 access, but knowing his visitors will be looked after and receive a friendly and professional welcome from Centre staff is also an influencing factor.
“The materials and equipment we use are expensive and it was important that the premises were secure and that deliveries could be taken in by Centre staff if we were unavailable.”
A huge benefit of being based in the Newhaven Enterprise Centre is the flexibility for businesses to grow. With a variety of unit spaces and access to on-site business support, you can expand or downsize your space based on your business needs “Let’s Do Business Group took over management of the Centre in February 2020 and their support has been invaluable with the uncertainties created by the pandemic” Oliver commented, “There is a shortage of workshops/secure storage in the South East – even for my business, even now I sometimes need to go off-site if I have intrusive manufacturing tasks to complete, but the Newhaven Enterprise Centre is essential to our business”.
What’s Next for SFXC?
Oliver sees the future of the business to be closely aligned to sustainability – using and developing materials that are bio-degradable, compostable, or recyclable. The ultimate goal is to be planet friendly. Oliver has built the business despite facing the dual challenge of dyslexia and ADHD and recognises that to achieve his goals he will need to engage people with diverse skills to help develop and grow the business, whilst retaining his commitment to sustainability.
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