News
Fluvial Innovations Ltd named as regional finalist beating more than 3,600 entrants
The Barclays Business ‘Take One Small Step’ competition, which launched in March awarding ten budding business minds across the UK £50,000 each, has named Fluvial Innovations Ltd as one of three regional finalist’s in the South West.
Beating more than 3,600 entrants, Fluvial Innovations Ltd which supplies innovative flood defence barriers and is based in Bournemouth, will now need the public to vote for them if they stand any chance of winning £50,000 in cash
Vote online for Fluvial Innovations:
https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/534
Or text FLUVIAL to 87222
Managing Director at Fluvial Innovations Ltd, Simon Phelps, said: “My idea actually came to me at university when I was watching a TV report on a devastating flood event in Sussex in 2000. It seemed ridiculous to me that councils were handing out ineffective sandbags that just didn’t work, and after spending a year in industry I decided I’d develop a flood defence method that did work and could be rapidly deployed by one person.
“Our main motivation is to help individuals at risk to obtain peace of mind – when a floods happen there is an emotional cost as well as a monetary expense to those affected. Our Floodstop barriers actually works, so I am passionate about it being in the market place and helping vulnerable people at risk – all councils should be able to provide them.”
Fluvial founder meets with Lord Mandelson and Lord Davies at 10 Downing Street
Lord Mandelson thanks South West recession busting small business – Fluvial Innovations.
Secretary of State for Business Lord Mandelson is thanking a recession busting South West businessman for helping to move the UK economy back into the black.
Lord Mandelson met Simon Phelps, entrepreneur and founder of flood protection company Fluvial Innovations, at a small business reception at Number 10 last night. Simon established Fluvial Innovations in 2006 to commercialise a flood protection system he had developed in his final year at Bournemouth University. Simon has been assisted by several schemes to develop his FLOODSTOP system, which was named the ‘Most Innovative Product of 2009’ by the Emergency Planning Society.
No 10 Downing Street - 12th Feb 2010
Lord Mandelson said:
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the British economy and we recognise what an important role they have played in getting the country through the recession. Simon Phelps is an inspiration to his community and a good example of why support from Government was so crucial over the downturn.”
The South West Regional Development Agency provided a grant which enabled Mr Phelps to spend his first year in business focused on research and development.
Floods: How To Hold Them Back – Sunday Express, 29 November 2009
“…As homeowners in Cumbria mop up, it’s time to look at damage limitation if your home could be under threat, says Jane Slade. Pictures of the devastation in Cumbria have brought into sharp focus the damage a flood can do, not only to homes but also entire communities. The stark facts are that many more people will lose their homes to flooding this year…”
“…“One company had a minimum charge of £12,000 but said we would probably have to spend £20,000,” she discovered. Then she found Floodstop, an award-winning flood defence barrier, designed by Bournemouth University graduate Simon Phelps.”
To read the full article please CLICK HERE
Heavy rain causes flooding in Scotland – BBC News, 2 November 2009
“This month heavy rain has caused havoc in north and east Scotland with homes flooded, roads closed and trains cancelled.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson said: “Our crews have been working throughout the night providing support to the emergency services, keeping roads clear as best they can and helping with the evacuation of residents.”
“The torrential rainfall across a large part of Aberdeenshire has meant that our crews have been stretched very thinly but they have been committed to helping wherever possible.”
Residents in Stonehaven filled pillow cases with sand from the beach to try to protect buildings, after the rivers Cowie and Carron burst their banks on Sunday. Some streets in the town were evacuated.
Read the full story here: BBC News Website
Simon Phelps, Director and Founder of Fluvial Innovations, said:
“Filling sandbags (or pillow cases in this case), would prove utterly ineffective against rising flood waters. They leak excessively and require a great deal of manpower and resources to assemble into a flood defence barrier.”
FLOODSTOP to appear in all secondary schools
FLOODSTOP flood protection has been chosen by STEMNET (funded by The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills) to appear as a case study in all UK secondary schools. Fluvial Innovations has been specifically chosen to demonstrate to students that they can have a rewarding career by designing and developing their own products. The aim is to boost the number of school leavers entering careers in design and manufacturing.
FLOODSTOP wins EPS Award for Most Innovative Product of 2009
Last night at the annual Emergency Planning Society conference, FLOODSTOP a rapidly deployable flood defence barrier was voted the Most Innovative Product of 2009. This award honours products with a real, pragmatic emergency planning application.
FLOODSTOP featured on ITV
This month the Environment Agency successfully deployed 175 metres of the demountable flood defence barrier, FLOODSTOP in Sandwich Quay, Kent. 175 metres was deployed in a staggering 90 minutes.
BERR highlight Fluvial Innovations’ success
Fluvial Innovations Ltd has been highlighted by the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) as a successful graduate of the Flying Start Global Scholars scheme.
Read the FLOODSTOP & BERR Case study
Barrier dreams
The award-winning FLOODSTOP flood barrier appears in the June addition of Inventique Magazine.
Design lifts barrier to success
Simon Phelps explains how a US fellowship scheme gave him the impetus to build his own company.
