NEW DEAL IS PITCH PERFECT FOR FIFE BUSINESS CLUISTROM

A Fife business which specialises in the supply of custom moulded and filtered hearing protection has signed an exclusive deal with a leading chain of opticians.

CluisTROM will now supply Black & Lizars Optometrists’ 21 stores with exclusive hearing aids, Bluetooth hearing aid glasses and custom hearing protection products.

The company, which has been helped by Business Gateway Fife, now adds the leading optometrists to its illustrious list of clients that include: Haribo, the Ministry of Defence, Scottish Power, General Electric, Siemens and BAE Systems.

Neil McIntosh, Managing Director, CluisTROM, said: “Right from the start we’ve focused our attention on niche and specialist products which has made us a leading name in hearing protection in the UK. Striking the deal with Black & Lizars helps us maintain our position, gain brand recognition on Scotland’s high streets and gives us increased point of contact with individuals as well as large corporate businesses.”

Michelle Le Prevost, Managing Director, Black & Lizars said: “Our company has a rightly-celebrated 185-year-long engagement with Scotland’s eye-care market, and our newly forging relationship with CluisTROM will significantly enhance the degree of care we provide to our patients.”

Having moved into one of Dunfermline High Street’s oldest buildings in February, CluisTROM is now looking to expand its client base further and grow its hearing aid service.

Neil said: “We now have an impressive shop front and the space needed to tap into the hearing aid market further. Refitting the building was costly, but our Business Gateway adviser, Lynne Baillie, signposted us to the Fife Council Town Centre Development Grant scheme, and the grant we secured will us recoup some of the money invested. Right from the start Lynne has highlighted potential funding streams to us that have helped us devise a marketing plan and attend a leading trade show. Her support has been invaluable.”

Lynne Baillie, Business Gateway Fife, said: “Neil entered into a busy market place, but through hard work, determination and a realisation that niche products could help his business grow, he has managed to put CluisTROM on the map. Our help securing a range of funding has also allowed him to promote his business and gain exposure.”

Originally a business development manager for a hearing aid manufacturer, Neil, who is a qualified audiologist, spotted a gap in the market for 3D printed custom ear plugs that would only allow the frequency of conversation to enter the ear regardless of environmental noise. By utilising state-of-the-art 3D printing the ear plugs are an exact fit, providing increased safety to users.

He took his plan to the world’s largest manufacturer of hearing aids, Starkey Labs, who gave him access to manufacture and brand the product. In 2011, he launched CluisTROM from a room in his mother’s shop, taking on his first employee the following year to help him secure a national distribution deal.

He said: “Arco asked us to come and pitch to them and the following week I got a call from the MD that changed everything. After they agreed to carry the product in their brochure we received substantial orders from BE Systems, Shell and E.ON to name a few. We decided to then launch a maintenance service which can save clients £70k over five years per 40 employees. This works out a lot cheaper than buying disposable earplugs that don’t offer the same level of protection that ours do.”

For more information on CluisTROM visit www.cluistrom.com

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