Companies looking to expand their business and penetrate new markets in a cost-effective manner need look no further than supervised student projects. For a successful manufacturing company like Penatube Ltd, the Shell Step programme was a fresh and invigorating way to inject some new talent into their business ideas.

 

Established for over 35 years in the plastics manufacturing industry, Penatube Ltd specialises in the production of a wide variety of creative mechanical toys for the educational market. Looking to expand their business without affecting their current distributor base, Penatube wanted to focus on its plans for a new e-commerce website, www.ToysForTeaching.Com, to expand their market to international waters and nurture a direct relationship with their audience.

 

Communicating with Knowledge Dock, the company found a perfect solution to their objective by sourcing a bright and enthusiastic undergraduate to fully design their online business venture.

 

The star of the show was Saqib Mahmood, a second-year UEL undergraduate in Computer Science. From the detailed graphics to the licensing and intense programming required, Saqib deployed his knowledge, skills and initiative to realise and fully deliver a professional e-commerce website.

 

“Saqib is an excellent worker who is very hard working and creative,” says Gerald Pearse, Managing Director of Penatube. “This was shown not only in his ability to complete the entire project but also in its quality and detail. We now have an excellent catalogue of our stock for prospective customers and clients.”

 

The new website also acts as a communication channel which enables customer feedback which helps to shape product design strategies and inform customers of future products.

 

“Saqib was resourceful and very aware of the time and money constraints in the business. When it came to which hosting company to use, he located the best one in relation to features and price.”

 

“Participating in the Shell Step programme was an excellent investment for us and I would recommend it to any company. It brings a burst of vitality and dynamism especially for companies working in pressured environments. Upon the launch of the website the company is hoping to attract a wider international customer base and Saqib has helped us in fulfilling this goal. I am expecting a 20% increase in turnover on the product line in its first year, with a 100% increase in gross margin.”