ably,” Guest says, adding: “The investment from Lloyds Bank allowed us to do that, providing our customers with high-quality products, while increasing efficiency and reducing energy usage. “We’re pleased to have had Lloyds Bank by our side for the last seven years and look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to grow and advance the business.” Angela Parry, associate director at Lloyds Bank Asset Finance, adds: “At Lloyds Bank we offer businesses a full range of asset funding options. For print manufacturers like Browns, using this financing to invest in cutting-edge equipment and technologies has helped the company to stay competitive in the sector, and ultimately improve business growth.” Alternative Routes In terms of thinking outside the box and looking at other financing options, an excellent example comes in the form of print-on-demand merchandise platform Merchr. The company was founded by an experienced team backed by Martin Varley, a well-known executive in the personalised products industry. The business swung into production earlier this year after securing £350,000 in an oversubscribed pre-seed fundraising round, allowing it to get off the ground. Less than a year after opening, the company installed a raft of new, custom-built machinery as part of a £250,000 61 www.printmonthly.co.uk January / February 2024 - Issue 346 water bottles and flasks, with capacity to produce 250 an hour. In addition, Merchr has also installed a Graphtec cutting plotter which produces raised printing with a vinyl finish, along with a laser-guided dual heat pressing printer for glitter, neon, and textured printing on T-shirts, hats, toiletry bags, and other items. To support this, Merchr is also recruiting for several new roles as it grows its team in line with its expansion. It is worth noting that the initial oversubscribed pre-seed fundraising round served as the catalyst for what has been a fruitful first year in business at Merchr. Jack Fox, head of operations at Merchr, comments: “Advancements in technology have opened doors to a new era of sustainable merchandise printing. The ability to print retail quality items on demand, without having to order in bulk, not only enhances our commitment to sustainability but also empowers our store owners with more choice and customisation options. “We’re excited to embrace this innovative machinery, as it aligns perfectly with our goal of reducing waste and minimising our environmental footprint while delivering quality products for our users.” The bottom line is that financing and funding is available to print companies of all shapes and sizes. Of course, any sort of venture or arrangement in this area should be properly planned out and thought through before diving into anything. Analysing your business and speaking with finance experts can give you a clear idea of exactly what you need and what the best solution is for your company. ▲ Browns Print secured more than £2.4m in asset financing from Lloyds Bank ▼ Jack Fox, head of operations at print-on-demand merchandise platform Merchr investment for its production facility in Middleton, Greater Manchester. Merchr says the investment enables it to ramp up its services to a growing customer base of retailers, visitor attractions, and online brands. The new equipment includes a flatbed printer which can print up to 60 notebooks at a time with a varnish finish, and a 360-degree cylinder printer machine for FINANCING AND FUNDING
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