BACKGROUND
Clive Owen LLP collaborates with Kasai UK to secure grant funding support towards cutting-edge decarbonisation project at its Washington-based production facility.
Kasai UK, a subsidiary of Japanese company, Kasai Kogyo Co. Ltd, is a tier 1 automotive interior trim supplier, headquartered in Washington. Kasai were looking to deploy a novel solvent free adhesive solution into their manufacturing process but needed some external funding support to ensure the business case was viable.
Clive Owen LLP, a leading independent accountancy firm in the North East and Yorkshire, was appointed by Kasai UK to prepare its application for a six-figure grant funding project that would support its pledge to cut emissions at its Sunderland site by 30 per cent by 2030.
The grant formed part of the Business Growth Fund, delivered by UMi and supported by Sunderland City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
APPROACH
Carl Wright, Grants Advisory Partner at Clive Owen LLP, and his team worked closely with Kasai’s senior team including Managing Director Jill Usher and Finance Manger Anne Marie Coyle, to successfully prepare a grant application on behalf of Kasai UK. This involved supporting Kasai to develop the business case for the project and then presenting it in the grant application format, with the team completing and submitting the process to a timetable agreed with the clients.
The Clive Owen LLP team then supported Kasai’s management team in handling queries raised by the UMi as part of the due diligence process, ultimately securing a grant of £100,000.
The assignment was of particular relevance and interest to Carl and the wider firm, given its standing as an ICAEW Climate Champion, with Carl leading on the firm’s ESG and sustainability initiatives.
To date, Clive Owen LLP has helped over 300 clients secure £350m+ in grant funding including many millions for the automotive sector for OEMs and throughout the supply chain.
OUTCOME
- The six-figure funding will enable the interior trim specialist to switch from carbon-intensive adhesives to a solvent-free, water-based alternative.
- It is estimated this will reduce caron dioxide emissions by an estimated 100 to 120 tonnes each year.
- Crucially, the project will support Kasai UK’s pledge to cut emissions at its site by 30 per cent by 2030.
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“This investment marks a major milestone in our ambitious bid to reduce emissions at our Sunderland plant. To achieve this, we have had to invest significantly as a business, including the installation of new equipment and technology, so it is very much an investment into the future of the plant. It will also have a major impact on the local environment as it’ll reduce noise pollution as well as Co2.
“We are grateful to Carl and his team for supporting Kasai UK throughout the entire grant application process, and were delighted to have secured this significant funding that will greatly support our emissions pledge.”
Jill Usher, Managing Director
Kasai UK
“We are delighted to have played a role in supporting Kasai UK with its transition from the use of carbon-heavy adhesives to a solvent-free, water-based alternative. As a regional firm, it was a pleasure to be involved in such an exciting and transformative investment within the North East.”
Carl Wright, Grants Advisory Partner
Clive Owen LLP
