A Black Country testing specialist is celebrating its 5th birthday in style by committing to reaching £1m+ sales over the next twelve months.
Staht, which was created by former 3M Global Product Manager Rob Hirst, is revolutionising the way construction and safety sectors complete pull-testing and proof loading testing for fixings and safety eye bolts.
Its growing range of products have been designed to deliver optimum measuring performance onsite and boasts the best digital app in the marketplace, giving a ‘connected’ solution that provides a GPS location, videos/photos and data in real time.
The Lye-based company has also tapped into support from Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) in Dudley to help it build its brand awareness and to access capital funding to buy a 3D printer – a purchase that has allowed it to bring prototyping in-house.
Rob Hirst, founder, commented: “We’ve come a long way since we started in my kitchen during Covid-19 and sometimes you have to take a step back and realise how far you have come as a business.
“I knew there was a gap in the market for a new pull-testing and proof loading product and, five years on, we now have an industry-leading ‘connected’ solution that is sold in more than 15 countries, including in Australia, Italy, the US and South America.”
He continued: “Our first year saw us do about £250k in turnover, but that was all about laying the foundations, with 2026 set to generate £1m+ in revenues. To cope with this expansion, we’ve invested heavily in our warehouse and workshops on Hayes Lane Trading Estate and have recently added a new training centre to educate existing and new clients on how our products work.”
Staht’s first product has been the hugely successful T60, which can test a fixing and anchor bolt up to 6 tonnes – critical for ensuring safety on site such as fall protection systems, safety eye bolts, anchor fixings and lifting points.
Backed by Innovate UK, the company has added the digital T25 to its range, with both solutions featuring the Staht® Connect App for both Android and iOS, Bluetooth® capabilities up to 10metres, and sunlight-ready full-colour screens.
Rob went on to add: “When you’re growing as fast as we are, you don’t have much time to work out where to go for help, which is why engaging with Steve Dunn, business growth adviser at Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley, has been such a godsend.
“He’s helped us clearly identify where the opportunities for our business exist and how to move towards them, including how to access capital equipment funding. This has already seen us received match-funding towards a new 3D printer that will help us speed up time to market and we’ve also attended several networking events that are boosting our brand locally.
(l-r) Steve Dunn (BGWM) with Rob Hirst (Staht)
“BGWM in Dudley gives us that additional sounding board to run ideas past, which is very useful when you are a small team.”
Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley, which is managed by Dudley Council and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is supporting more than 700 companies based in the borough.
This package of support includes advice from local business growth advisers, grant programmes to improve productivity and expedite the businesses’ journey towards net zero, innovation support and assistance for entrepreneurship and start-up businesses.
Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, the local business growth advisers provide an information, diagnostic, brokerage, and account management service to support local businesses to thrive, innovate, and grow, whilst also supporting entrepreneurs to progress their ideas.
A special focus is placed on helping firms in key local sectors and engaging with harder to reach groups, such as women-led and ethnic minority-led businesses.
Steve Dunn, business growth adviser, concluded: “The Black Country has been built on innovation and it’s great to see Rob and his six-strong team designing, developing and manufacturing products in Lye.
“He is creating jobs and has a strong vision for growth through the launch of new solutions. We are pleased to use our contacts and our GROWTHMapper® diagnostic tool to deliver tailored advice and support that will drive his firm’s expansion.”
For further information, please visit www.staht.com or www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk. You can also follow BGWM in Dudley across its social media channels.
