AN entrepreneur has carved a niche for himself by setting up his own pallet and packaging business.

Damian Cowell set up Cowell Enterprises Ltd in Darwen just over a year ago, with help from ELTEC's FirmBase start-up programme. He already employs five staff and ambitious Damian intends to expand the business even further after landing a lucrative new contract.

Damian explained: "The majority of our work involves making pallets and packing cases, although we do get the odd request for furniture from local garden centres and we recently made a complete set of wooden furniture for a local Chinese restaurant."

He added: "I think this degree of skill and flexibility, plus the fact that we received professional help from FirmBase right at the beginning, is the reason why we have been so successful." ELTEC's organisational development director, Paul Heald, said: "In East Lancashire we are proud of the entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm displayed by local people like Damian."

He added: "However, this must be teamed with good business planning and development advice if fledgling ventures like Cowell Enterprises are to enjoy long term success."

Would-be entrepreneurs who would like further details of FirmBase should contact ELTEC on (01254) 301333.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.