Atcham investment for envelope manufacturer
A new factory is to be set up in Shropshire making 300 million envelopes a year after a manufacturer invested in a site in the county.
Somerset-based envelope manufacturer Blake has taken on the premises and equipment previously owned by Rapid Envelopes on Atcham Business Park between Shrewsbury and Telford, after that company's collapse earlier this year.
The company said it wanted to "support the resurgence of UK manufacturing to facilitate economic growth" by investing in the county.
But it also said the decision to add to its capabilities in the UK was driven in part by the fluctuation in the value of the pound after the Brexit vote, as well as the possibility of increased import duties and customs border delays after the UK completes its withdrawal from the European Union.
It is also seeing an increasing demand for envelopes.
Blake’s managing director Michael Barter said: "This new plant, coupled with our sophisticated digital print production, means we can now cater to quantities from 50 to five million bespoke printed envelopes, providing the necessary flexibility to meet the needs of the market.
"We’ve seen an increasing demand from our customers for high quality printed mailing wallets produced in the UK, to flexible order quantities with a fast delivery.
"Providing an adaptable, relevant service is something that’s always been at the heart of our strategic objectives. So, this latest acquisition ensures we’re in a strong position to meet the needs of our customers, in what is an increasingly challenging time."
The plant currently employs fewer than 10 people on a single shift, and while the factory has historically been home to more staff Blake has not yet committed to any firm plans for future expansion.
Rapid went into administration in March, at which time 19 people were made redundant to leave five staff running the business.
Last year Yeovil-headquartered Blake racked up its strongest-ever set of sales figures, although the company also admitted it had experienced a difficult performance in the first half of the year.
The company also has UK operations in Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester.
