A DESIGN company born out of redundancy is helping inventors turn their ideas into reality.

When the research and development team at water cooler company Ebac was cut, colleagues Steve Vipond and Andy Smith set up on their own.

Two years ago they launched design consultancy Bigto – which stands for Before I Get Too Old – as both seized the opportunity to work for themselves at the ages of 54 and 45.

The duo moved into the Bishop Auckland premises of product design and model-making company Form, run by friend Celyn Mitchell, and, with a grant from Durham County Council, bought start-up equipment.

They can build a product idea up from a concept to a working design ready for manufacture – the Regional Technology Centre and Design Network North have helped them win such contracts.

For example, a window fitter who wants to improve security on French doors went to Bigto to turn his idea of a new locking system into a prototype he can use as he tries to get it into production.

Mr Smith said: “We didn’t have anything to lose.

“It was the first phase of this recession and we were redundant, the prospects of another job were slight.

“We’ve kept our overheads low, so haven’t needed bank loans or run massive risks, “It is tough out there and I imagine it is very hard if a company needs to make a big capital commitment.”

Mr Vipond said: “Usually, when you are made redundant, there are other people in the same industry in the same situation all looking for jobs that are few and far between.

“We’ve managed to find something that works.

“We have been pretty busy which is unusual and brilliant, and we hope to grow organically.

“We are also pleased to have been able to offer work to former colleagues.”

Bigto has worked with companies in the region and much further afield.

It has helped Consett-based polymer engineering firm Lamplas develop products leading to extra jobs and old employer Ebac is a valued client.

It also has contracts with companies in China and Canada.

Mr Vipond said: “We are the North-East’s best kept design secret.

“We’ve been able to use our existing skills and build up contacts to find work.

“Bigto, Form and our old boss Philip Walton, who has BluCurve which works with the water industry, work symbiotically to add to what each other can do.”