NEWS

Libellum Holdings Limited and its group of companies provide specialist testing, inspection and quality services for sectors where safety, reliability and compliance are critical.
Working across industries such as energy, utilities, petrochemicals and manufacturing, the business helps clients understand the condition of important assets, check the quality of welded components and ensure that equipment, structures and processes meet the standards required for safe and reliable operation.

This work includes non-destructive testing, which allows materials, welds and components to be inspected without damaging them, alongside asset integrity management, weld inspection and quality assurance support. In practice, this means helping clients identify potential issues early, maintain confidence in critical infrastructure and reduce the risk of costly failures or downtime.

Alongside its technical expertise, Libellum is also investing in technology to improve how quality and inspection work is delivered. This includes the development of a web portal for manufacturers and fabricators, designed to digitalise quality management within welding operations, as well as internal improvements around paperless reporting, app-based systems and digital infrastructure.

As a small team, the business faced the challenge of balancing day-to-day operations with the need to build profile, develop new relationships and convert opportunities into long-term customer accounts. While the company had clear ambition, entering new sectors required a deeper understanding of procurement frameworks, target audiences and how best to position its offer.

Through the Tees Valley Supply Chain programme, Libellum received targeted support to explore new market opportunities and better understand how to access procurement routes across multiple sectors. This included direct support through the NERDS programme, which provided valuable insight into target audiences including BAE and the RAF.
This insight helped the business review and develop its value proposition and commercial model, ensuring its offer could be more clearly aligned to the expectations and requirements of potential customers in new sectors.

The support also helped Libellum strengthen its approach to networking and profile building. Through programme activity and opportunities to connect with potential customers and procurement contacts, the business was able to build new relationships and open up conversations in target sectors.

As a result, the business generated new sales enquiries, onboarded new clients and achieved sales growth. The support has also contributed to safeguarding two existing jobs and has led to plans to recruit two new apprentices, one to support work around non-destructive testing and one to support business administration. The business administration apprenticeship is being supported through a connection made via the programme to Hartlepool College.

Advisors Jim Barr and Leslie Hawke both worked with Nick Adams at Libellum, helping the company identify opportunities and strengthen its approach to new market entry. One of the key strategic successes from the engagement was Libellum gaining access to the approved suppliers list for Tees Valley Lithium, creating a valuable route into future opportunities.
Building on this progress, Libellum plans to use the insights, connections and commercial clarity gained through the support to continue onboarding new profitable customer accounts.

The business remains focused on growth and continues to take a proactive approach to seeking out relevant support, both in terms of funding and expertise, as it develops its profile, strengthens its networks and expands into new markets.