AN award-winning Internet of Things and big data firm is celebrating its 15th birthday this month.

Applied Integration (AI) of North Yorkshire was founded by its directors Garry Lofthouse, Lee Raywood, Roy Coleman and Graham King on August 1, 2005 – the firm says turning 15 is a “huge milestone” in its mission to become a leader in innovation and new technologies.

The Stokesley systems integrator specialises in delivering the latest industry technologies with a focus on Industry 4.0, digitalisation, Internet of Things (IoT), analytics, big data, cloud technologies and robotics and collaborative robots (Cobots).

Garry Lofhouse, chief executive at Applied Integration, said: “Turning 15 is a fantastic achievement for the directors and staff helping us hit this milestone.

“We have faced many challenges over this time, yet Applied Integration has adapted, remained strong and grown the business during these tough times.

“We still strive as a business to achieve our vision and mission goals, inspiring digital innovation, pushing the boundaries of technology, be a great place to work and ensure that what we do, we do well.

“AI, like many other businesses, has faced many challenges, especially when in the startup phase such as building their customer base and having uncertainties about the future.

“Some of these external challenges which we have overcome include the 2008 Global Recession and Covid-19 in 2020.

“We as a company are very proud that we were able to adapt to these changes and strive in other areas.

“AI was ready for these challenges by looking into alternative markets which would be successful through these periods of change.

“During coronavirus, we made reusable visors via our 3D printing technology and sent them to NHS and care workers around the UK.”

The firm has received recognition for its achievements, including becoming North East Manufacturer of the Year Company Finalists, praise for delivering highly controllable software and previously winning Siemens most active partner engagement – all of which established it as a Tier 1 supplier to a global defence, aerospace and security giant.

In 2017, AI also set up a spin off company, Applied Scientific Technologies (AST), which is a specialists in robotics, automated control systems and hardware integration in the laboratory, chemical, pharmaceutical, physical and life science arenas supporting their clients digitalisation journey.