Paper Innovation expands

Print Solutions

Paper Innovation, a Preston based manufacturer of paper products, is set to expand into new markets and launch its first online store after increasing its turnover by 15% over the past three years.

Founded by husband and wife team Steve and Wendy Johnston in 1994, the company creates bespoke and personalised paper products for companies across the UK.

It will be launching an online platform to expand its customer base both at home and overseas, with support from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking which has supplied a £710,000 funding package. The move will create four new jobs, and is expected to boost the company’s turnover by a further 25% over the next two years.

Steve Johnston, director of Paper Innovation, said: ‘To stay competitive within our sector it is vital that we remain innovative, and we are constantly looking for new ways to expand our customer base and improve the services on offer to clients.

‘The new online site will enable us to increase our presence in new markets, and we will be looking to expand our customer base across the corporate and hospitality sector over the next 12 months.’

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking provided the funding package after the business was introduced to the team by Johnny Abraham at J9 Advisory, Paper Innovation’s business finance advisor.

Steve added, ‘We switched our day to day banking relationship late last year, after looking for a banking partner which shared our enthusiasm for growth.

‘Our relationship team and J9 Advisory has worked very closely with us to understand our business and objectives, and were able to provide the tailored suite of products that was required to achieve our expansion plans.’