Seven figure deal supports technology firm’s growth ambitions
A STAFFORDSHIRE technology company has expanded into new premises after securing a seven-figure funding deal.
Bluechipworld Sales and Marketing produces six of its own technology brands and supplies accessories to customers such as Sainsbury’s, Argos and Amazon and also distributes the MiTEC product line exclusively to Tesco.
The firm’s diverse product portfolio includes cutting edge technology targeted at mass market, high-end consumer electronic accessories as well as novelty audio gadgets.
It was the first company in the UK to introduce Virtual Reality goggles at the Gadget Show Live conference at the NEC in Birmingham under the iCandy name. iCandy is also known for its novelty Safari speakers line, where the animated speakers dance and sing along to music.
Bluechipworld also manufactures luxury music devices in partnership with former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor, who is majority shareholder of the iT7 brand. Current ambassadors of iT7 include Grammy award winner Gregory Porter and professional footballer Robbie Keane.
iT7 also provided products to the England national football and cricket teams and won a bronze award in Men’s Running awards 2015 for its wireless sports headphones line.
The seven figure funding package from Yorkshire Bank has assisted with the firm’s relocation to the new premises in Cannock and enabled it to increase its workforce during the past four months across a number of areas including sales, marketing, finance and operations.
In addition to its Staffordshire base, the firm also has an office in Hong Kong, maintaining strong relationships with its long term manufacturing partners in China.
The funding package was facilitated by Peter Brooke, relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Customer Banking Centre in Birmingham, together with David Hewitt, of the bank’s Asset Based Lending team and Simon Hayden, the bank’s international Trade Manager in the region.
Simon Hassell, Bluechipworld CEO said: “We have experienced continual growth over recent years and the move to our state of the art headquarters has been a big milestone for the business.
“Securing the funding from Yorkshire Bank has allowed the business to thrive and we aim to continue our growth over the coming years.”
Gareth Jones, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Commercial & Small Business – Relationship Management teams, said: “Bluechipworld has demonstrated a genuine entrepreneurial track record, identifying new opportunities and maximising these.”
Pictured from left are: Dave Hewitt, director – Asset Based Lending, Yorkshire Bank, Simon Hassell, CEO, Bluechipworld, John Barton, executive director, Bluechipworld, Debbie Dewell, relationship manager – invoice finance, Yorkshire Bank, Peter Brooke, relationship manager – commercial, Yorkshire Bank, Simon Hayden, international trade manager, Yorkshire Bank and Jason Bisseker, CCO, Bluechipworld.
