Specialist test paper manufacturer doubles capacity
An Oldbury-based specialist test paper manufacturer has doubled its premises and purchased new machinery after securing a £460,000 funding package.
Johnson Test Papers has been manufacturing paper test strips for pH testing, water analysis and production processes in Oldbury for more than 80 years.
It currently exports its products to laboratories and environmental firms in more than 45 countries worldwide.
The business has seen a 25% increase in demand in the past year from customers both in the UK and overseas.
To meet this, it has secured funding from Lloyds Bank to double its manufacturing and storage space by acquiring two adjacent buildings to its current site.
An asset finance facility has also enabled it to purchase two specialist coating and cutting machines that will boost the firm’s capacity by 50%.
The investments are expected to increase the company’s £1.5m annual turnover by almost 20% in the next few years. The firm is also looking to recruit six members of staff to its 15-strong team as it continues to grow.
Adam Bhui, director at Johnson Test Papers, said: “We’ve enjoyed unprecedented growth in the past few years, so much so that we’d outgrown our site and needed to expand in order to keep up with increased orders. The funding from Lloyds Bank has enabled us to double our existing premises and purchase new machinery to support our continued growth and provide more products for more customers.”
Mark Meakin, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The West Midlands is renowned as the manufacturing hub of the UK, with more than 14,700 companies calling the region home. Johnson Test Papers is a fantastic example of an ambitious local manufacturer that’s enjoying significant growth and flying the flag for the sector here.
“We’ll be standing by the side of local businesses like Johnson Test Papers throughout 2019 and beyond to ensure that manufacturing continues to be a key part of the Midlands’ success story. As part of our commitment to helping Britain prosper, we’ll be supporting firms with specialist support from our expert team and a pledge to lend £2.5billion to Midlands businesses this year.”
