Printing firm expands premises after securing LEP grant

Caroline Cattle and Robin East

A Shropshire printing equipment supplier has been able to expand premises after securing grant aid from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.

CMYUK supplies equipment to the large format digital printing market. The LEP’s support has seen it expand its Shrewsbury showroom and create new jobs.

The grant, worth almost £70,000, was award from the Marches Building Investment Grant (MBIG), which was launched earlier this year.

The grant scheme, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, enabled the firm to carry out extensive refitting work to its Demonstration Centre on the Battlefield Enterprise Park.

Founded 13 years ago, CMYUK has grown steadily to become one of the first equipment and material suppliers to the large format digital printing market. It launched the Demonstration Centre in 2014 in response to demand for the printing market.

Director Robin East said: “Our unique facility located in Shrewsbury has proved so popular since we launched it three years ago, that we could quickly see the benefits to be gained by extending it further.

“Our vision was to expand the demonstration space to include the latest digital prepress workflow efficiency technology that is essential for our UK customer’s future investment, and allow them to experience the full workflow from digital origination to finished product. This will now be possible thanks to the MBIG grant that we’ve received.”

Five new permanent jobs will be created within the first six months of the newly expanded facility, and additional exclusive distribution deals with suppliers are anticipated once the expansion is complete.

The MBIG totals £2.5m and is open to businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin that need to fund extensions, renovations or reconfigurations of commercial premises.

Caroline Cattle, MBIG Programme Manager, said: “CMYUK identified a real gap in the market within which they operate. By developing their unique demonstration and training centre, they’ve not only provided customers with a unique environment in which to see the technology in action, but they’ve also successfully strengthened and extended those client relationships, creating the conditions necessary for this expansion.”

LEP Director Gill Hamer added: “CMYUK demonstrated a strong case for carrying out further expansion and refurbishment that would not only benefit their business, but also create jobs and add to the economic vibrancy of the area and supply chain in which they’re operating.”

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