8th May 2002
PRINT CITY CHOOSES BARNSLEY FOR £1M EXPANSION PROGRAMME

Print City is bucking the trend of the many printing firms that are experiencing hard times, with the announcement that it is to expand further and invest £1M into a relocation to Barnsley's purpose-built Zenith Business Park, just off the M1 motorway.

Print City started life back in 1989 and has grown to become one of the UK's premier confidential trade printers - producing high quality print for many of the country's leading names via its print management customer base. Reg Firth, Managing Director of Print City, has seen many changes in technology and working practices through the various stages of the company's evolution to its present site at Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield. The company now employs over 30 staff and is about to enter the most exciting phase of its growth and development.

Reg commented: "Two years planning have come to fruition and within our new purpose built premises in Barnsley we will install the latest information technology, plant and equipment to put us at the leading edge of our industry. Our customers will benefit from full e-commerce web facilities, combined with unrivalled in-house production capabilities.

Reg added "We're grateful to Barnsley Development Agency for their support and guidance, and particularly with their assistance with training grants and in helping us secure a DTI Regional Selective Assistance grant."

Regional Selective Assistance is available in Barnsley to companies that are creating employment; Print City is set to advertise around 20 new jobs over the next two years including vacancies for machine operators, finishers, and a driver.

Jeff Pickering, economic development manager for Barnsley Development Agency, said: "Zenith Park is one of Barnsley's premier purpose built business parks, offering fully-serviced facilities near junction 38 of the M1 for general manufacturing and engineering companies looking to re-locate. We're delighted to welcome Print City to Barnsley and we wish the company every success with its expansion and development plans in the town, which is set to create much needed jobs and contribute to Barnsley's economic regeneration in the future."

Print City currently occupies a 4,000 sq ft site at Skelmanthorpe, and the move to Zenith will treble the available floor space to 12,000sq ft. Computer to plate technology, a new 5 colour Komori Lithrone press and automated finishing equipment will be added to Print City's already comprehensive plant list.

Dan Brook, general manager of Print City commented: "The new facilities put us ahead of many of our larger competitors. Irrespective of run length, product type or colour requirement, we really have become one of the most comprehensively equipped litho printers in the UK. Our prime objective however has always been to ensure that product quality is maintained and delivery times are strictly achieved - this will never be sacrificed."

Growth over the past 4 years has been spearheaded by Chairman and local businessman Mike Brennan who confidently predicted: "Our mission is to become the UK's number one trade print supplier within three years and the company will continue to invest in people and technology to secure that aim.

"Our customers are the key to our success and how we serve them will determine our future." Print City is projected to double its turnover within three years to over £5m, and create considerable employment opportunities within the South Yorkshire Area."

For further information on BDA, contact Barnsley Development Agency on
(01226) 784444.

If you require any further information please email us.

Barnsley Development Agency
Beevor Court, Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HG
Telephone: +44 (0)1226 784444

© 2002