Scottish Enterprise: Infinite Possibilities - Agripa

Thankfully, among the perceived obstacles and real challenges, there are outstanding 'good news stories'.

These are the companies who can inspire and encourage others to appreciate the value of innovation and new markets to their business and demonstrate how they have translated them into tangible success.

And so in the first of a series of regular features, we meet John Harkness, Head of Business Development at Agripa.

Here he explains how Agripa is using forward thinking to grow and prosper.

How would you describe Agripa, its activities and its ethos?

Agripa are a full service media management company. We have a broad client portfolio, which includes major supermarkets, retailers and more than 270 local authorities. Our patented advertising system is used on lorries, refuse collection vehicles, vans and buses.

In recent months, we have been working in partnership with the public sector, Third sector and local community safety partnerships to help to facilitate social change in communities across the UK.

As a growing Scottish manufacturing company, we are creating jobs in the Glasgow area and recently introduced a Modern Apprentice scheme.

What first alerted you to the value of innovation and new markets?

As a company, innovation is key to our success so I think that has been absorbed into a culture of innovation.

Our founder and Chairman John Pitt developed and patented our changeable advertising system after considering which of his inventions held the most commercial potential.

John constantly looks for ways to improve our products through experimentation and creativity - his enthusiasm for innovation is infectious.

Managing Director David Pitt shares John's passion for innovation and encourages the Agripa team to be bold and challenge the conventional.

Can you explain how you broadened horizons for your Agripa?

Our exploration of new markets is testimony to the culture of challenge and change at Agripa.

In addition to our new concept for sharing resources, we have also tested the potential of international markets for our product. The patented Agripa system has been fitted on refuse collection vehicles in Netherlands and we have also fitted vehicles for a well known Danish brewer.

However, one of our more interesting global forays was in to Mexico where a team of our engineers travelled to fit a fleet of vehicles for a major retailer operating in several cities.

We have also fitted vehicles in the Middle East and have received enquiries from potential clients in Asia.

Are there particular challenges abroad and how have you met them?

Working overseas brings it's own challenges with the practicalities of exporting fitting kits for the vehicles and differing health and safety legislation in other countries. Practical considerations, such as access to ladders and scaffolding to carry out installations, all need to be taken into account as well as having a engineering crew who are adaptable and prepared to be away from the UK for an extended period of time.

Fortunately, our Operations team are experts in delivering our promises so each of our tests in other countries have proved to be very successful.

What does the future hold for Agripa?

We are moving to new premises in Cardonald in early May. Our new plant will allow us to scale up our manufacturing operation to cope with the influx of new business. The Agripa team will continue to grow and we look forward to welcoming an additional 30 employees in the coming months.

In the longer term, we plan to grow our relationships with Third Sector organisations, NGOs and corporate organisations which, in turn, should lead to more employment opportunities.

Will you continue to seek out new possibilities and how will you do this?

Yes, we will always seek new opportunities and challenge the way that we think and operate. New possibilities and opportunities will be born through breeding a culture of creative thinking and learning from our experience.

Research is at the heart of what we do and will be pivotal our success as we grow.

Do you believe there is an underlying 'cultural' challenge within some parts of the Scottish business community that hinders pushing at boundaries?

Yes, I think that we can learn a lot from our American counterparts who are more inclined to take a risk. Many Scottish companies continue to operate in the same way and never question or challenge their methodology. This type of approach stifles growth and breeds a culture of process rather than innovation.

Finally, how would you inspire more business leaders to adopt a 'global first' mindset, seeking out new opportunities?

I would recommend looking at every aspect of your business and question why you do things in a certain way. Develop a close team who are not afraid to speak their mind.

Be bold but be prepared to back up your claims!