A Sheffield-based serial entrepreneur has been named winner of the regional HSBC Start-Up Stars Award.
Nic Wood, who set up his first business – a pewter ware design company – after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, has won the accolade for his latest business – Econix.
Mr Wood launced Econix to develop environmentally friendly products for the health industry.
Econix’s first product is the Bio-bin - a new type of container suitable for all clinical waste that is not sharp.
Although the Bio-bin is 96 per cent paper, it is completely leak-proof and can safely replace the plastic bins and containers that are currently in use. Bio-bins come in a range of sizes and have applications in research laboratories and tattoo parlours, as well as hospitals, surgeries and clinics.
Bringing the Bio-bin to production has around two years, mostly because there were no machines big enough to
make the size of container required. Eventually, Econix found a manufacturer in China and enquiries have been flooding in from Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Singapore and India, as well as the UK,.where Econix has secured a contract to supply the bins to the NHS throughout England.
Econix currently has plans for six new products, all based on the company’s three principles of reducing cost to the customer, reducing or eliminating the use of products derived from oil and creating a profit for the business itself.
The President Buildings business will now compete with winners of four other regional heats for a place in the national finals, along with the chance to scoop the top prize of £25,000 and the sought-after title of HSBC Start-Up Star 2007.
Econix could also be in line to win the first £5,000 Start-Up Stars Green Award, for the company with the best green credentials.
