A Teesside firm that has been supplying workwear solutions to companies across the UK for more than 40 years is set to expand thanks to a cash grant.
Caswellsgroup, a workplace supplies firm based in Billingham, has secured £28,000 of funding from Tees Valley Business Compass to expand its embroidery operation. The firm has also undertaken a refinancing deal with Handelsbanken to support the expansion. Both deals were supported by accountancy firm Anderson Barrowcliff.
The firm supplies everything from personal protective equipment and branded workwear to catering supplies and cleaning products.
Caswellsgroup finance manager David Roebuck said: “The grant and loan will finance a 6,000ft extension to our embroidery building, which will improve the workflow, and allow us to invest in bigger, better machinery.
“We’re seeing a huge rise in demand, especially in companies wanting their branding on all of their products, and this extension will allow us to take advantage of that, taking on larger orders and speeding up turnaround.
“The funding and expansion will give us the opportunity to seek and secure larger contracts from a variety of industries. We will also be taking on at least six extra staff members, from drivers to embroidery workers.”
The firm has gone from strength to strength since it was launched as a small shop by Derek Caswell in 1971. Now run by his son, Peter, the business has occupied its current site for 20 years and employs 40 people, serving clients across the UK.
Caswellsgroup Commercial Manager Paul Murphy said: “Our clients range from sole traders to global blue-chip companies. This is due to our ability to offer individual products and niche services such as our onsite pad printing facility and our state-of-the-art design and embroidery service.
“We’ve always been a forward-thinking firm and we pride ourselves at being at the forefront of the technology available in the industry.”
David Shawcross, partner at Anderson Barrowcliff, worked on the refinancing deal. He said: “We have worked with Caswellsgroup for more than 40 years. The firm is having a fantastic year and it’s showing signs of growth, which can only be put down to its excellent reputation.”
Fellow partner James Dale, who worked on the grant application, added: “Caswellsgroup has gone from strength to strength in the years that we have worked with them.
“We were delighted to help the team secure the grant from Tees Valley Business Compass and am looking forward to seeing the firm continue its growth throughout the Tees Valley and beyond.”
Anderson Barrowcliff is a firm of chartered accountants and business advisors which has origins dating back over 100 years.
