Bradford manufacturer quintuples investment after contract win

BRADFORD manufacturer Watermill Press has secured a £500,000 cotnract after making a major investment in label finishing equipment.

The labelling manufacturer developed a custom-made Vectra Turret Rewinder, in partnership with machinery manufacturer AB Graphic.

The £100,000 investment in this machinery means that Watermill Press can make specific identification and tracking labels for cases and pallets, in transite from manufacturers to large retailers.

Watermill Press managing director, Dale Deacon, said: “From a business perspective we are reaping the rewards from the investment almost immediately as it’s a significant contract win for us.

“The strategy was to address the client’s very specific request – it was a research and design project in many respects – but it is already paying dividends.

“While the equipment has been designed and built for that major client’s requirement, it is relevant to a host of other businesses in the food and drink industry, and the transport and logistics sectors.

“We expect it to be much sought after and to become a significant, additional income stream in the coming years.”

The new machinery can make an additional 2 million sq m of material a year.

Watermill Press invested a further £1m this year when it expanded its portfolio of 530mm wide Omega label printing and converting machines.

It also invested £160,000 in a waste handling system at its West Bowling factory.