Teesside animators celebrate a decade of business success
A company set up by Teesside University graduates that has put the North East on the map for interactive software, animation and virtual reality technology is marking its 10th anniversary.
Middlesbrough-based Animmersion is planning to double its team in the next two years with the launch of new products as it heads for its projected turnover of £1 million following a successful decade in business.
The 3D and computer graphics company was set up by Dominic Lusardi, originally from Leeds, and Sam Harrison, from Nottingham, who met whilst studying together for a visualisation degree at Teesside University.
Since being established as one of the first success stories from Teesside University’s DigitalCity programme, Animmersion has enjoyed 50 per cent year-on-year growth and now employs a team of 17, most of whom are Teesside University graduates.
The company produces animations and interactives for marketing and training, as well as customer-facing products like interactive manuals for touch screen devices, working all over the world in sectors such as engineering and manufacturing, offshore and subsea, healthcare, retail and the automotive industry.
The client base to date includes organisations such as St John’s Ambulance, Schneider Electric, Narec, Tracerco, Vortex Valves, Pearson Engineering, QA WeldTech, Travis Perkins and CrowdVision to name just a few.
To celebrate its 10th year in business and continued growth, Animmersion is holding a special event at Boho One on Thursday 16 June which will see around 100 businesses and organisations meet to discuss the future of animation and 3D technology and also business and growth opportunities on Teesside.
Speakers will include Teesside University Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Page, and head of training at St John’s Ambulance, Andrew New.
Animmersion started life at Teesside University’s incubation space and later moved to the Institute of Digital Innovation. The company then became one of the first occupants of Boho One, Teesside’s digital business hub, when it opened after helping specify and market the building with bespoke visualisations.
Managing Director Dominic Lusardi said: 'Animmersion is a non-traditional Teesside business and that is something that we really want to celebrate as the area strives to stake its place on the map for emerging sectors such as ours.
'We’ve proved that we have a sustainable business and we will remain on Teesside - recruiting from the fantastic pool of talent created by Teesside University- as we continue to grow, create jobs and expand our client base by forming close partnerships with other regional companies.
'The aim of the event is to bring together a range of businesses from a variety of sectors to celebrate what Teesside - and the North East as a whole - can achieve by working together and encouraging developing industries like ours in areas such as animation, virtual reality, holographics and touch screen technology.'
Operations Director Sam Harrison said: 'Animmersion’s most valuable skill is the ability to visualise complex technical products and services in a clear and informative manner to make technology easier for businesses. We are keen to share our knowledge and experiences of the last 10 years - and also look to the future - as we approach our 10th anniversary.
'It’s an exciting time for Teesside as so many more new businesses in various sectors thrive and work together to support one another’s growth.'