News: Rotherham printer announces £2m investment

Rotherham-based instantprint has announced a £2m investment in its stickers and labels production, expanding its premium product range and introducing new technology to help businesses create more impactful packaging, branding and promotional materials.

The Manvers company has previously invested in its large format category.

The latest investment includes the installation of new HP Indigo technology alongside an ABG DigiLase Duo digital finishing line with Dual Bar DigiJet, significantly increasing instantprint's capability to produce high-quality stickers and labels with premium embellishments, custom shapes and specialist materials.

As demand for standout packaging and branded products continues to grow, the investment enables instantprint customers to access a wider range of premium options without compromising on affordability, speed or ease of ordering.

Laura Mucklow, Head of Brand at instantprint, said: "Whether it's product packaging, branded giveaways or promotional materials, stickers and labels are often the finishing touch that helps a business make a memorable first impression.

"Our latest investment is all about giving customers more opportunities to create something unique. From premium finishes and specialist materials to custom shapes and reel labels, we're continuing to expand our range so businesses of every size can access professional-quality print that helps them stand out."

At the heart of the investment is the installation of the ABG DigiLase Duo and Dual Bar DigiJet, working alongside new HP Indigo technology to expand instantprint's premium stickers and labels offering.

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The advanced production line allows instantprint to produce more intricate custom shapes and shorter print runs with greater efficiency, while introducing premium embellishments including foil, Spot UV and tactile finishes. Combined with new thermal lamination capabilities, customers can create labels with enhanced durability and a premium look and feel, all through instantprint's easy-to-use online platform.

The investment also supports an expanding range of materials and formats, including transparent and silver metallic polypropylene, custom-shaped stickers and labels supplied on reels for businesses with specialist packaging requirements.

Alongside the investment in production, instantprint has continued to improve the online ordering experience with AI-powered artwork tools, streamlined proofing and enhanced ordering journeys, making it even easier for businesses to create professional stickers and labels with confidence.

Laura added: "Businesses expect more from their print than ever before. They want packaging and marketing materials that reflect the quality of their brand, and they want them quickly. We're continually investing in both our technology and our customer experience to make sure businesses can access the latest print innovations without the complexity traditionally associated with premium print."

The £2m investment marks the latest stage in instantprint's ongoing commitment to innovation, strengthening its stickers and labels range while giving businesses access to more premium products, greater creative freedom and the fast, reliable service they're known for.

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News: MP shouting from the roof tops

John Healey MP has gone to new heights to urge Rotherham businesses to follow the example of one of the region’s most innovative manufacturers and embrace rooftop solar to cut costs and go green.

The call comes at the same time as plans are being developed for Whitestone Solar Farm on greenblet land in the area which would have an estimated capacity of up to 750MW.

Bluetree Group, based in Manvers, were one of the first major local businesses to fully embrace rooftop solar. Since Bluetree’s roll out, the company now generates around 20% of its electricity from solar panels.

Healey supported Bluetree’s planning application to install rooftop solar and visited the local business in June to see the progress of the installation. The Member of Parliament is now encouraging other local businesses to follow in the same footsteps and join in with the ‘rooftop revolution’.

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Local firms, Barnsley & Rotherham, and Doncaster, Chamber of Commerce, and energy specialists, came together at Bluetree Group to discuss the benefits of solar on rooftops and to learn from the local manufacturer’s proactive approach to becoming more sustainable.

The drive towards rooftop solar will support the government’s move towards clean energy, as well as helping to protect local green belt. By utilising rooftop space on factories, warehouses, offices and car parks, businesses will be generating renewable energy and powering local industries sustainably.

If local businesses embrace rooftop solar, South Yorkshire could position itself as a national leader in clean energy.

MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough John Healey said, “Bluetree have led the way in rooftop solar in the local area and this is the right time for local businesses to make the transition to green energy.

“This is an exciting opportunity for businesses to utilise their empty rooftops and contribute to Britain’s clean energy goals, whilst cutting energy costs and preserving local green spaces.”

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News: Jobs queue updated at instantprint

The UK’s largest online printing company, instantprint, is on the lookout for over 74 new team members - the majority for its headquarters in Rotherham.

The Manvers-based printers, which started out as a two-man business just ten years ago, employs in excess of 600 people across the South Yorkshire region and is looking to expand further following exponential growth over the past year.

With its usual peak period (September-November) on the horizon, and the end of Covid-19 restrictions expected to drive further demand for print products such as signage, posters, and menus, instantprint is preparing for a yet another wave of business growth and is delighted to be able to offer these exiting roles to local jobseekers.

The variety of roles up for grab in the upcoming weeks are: business development executives; machine operatives; junior artworkers; engineers; client service advisors.

In the immediate future the Business Development Executives, Artworker and Client Service roles consist of a mixture of working from home and working from the instantprint offices based in Wath-Upon-Dearne. All other roles will be permanently based at the instantprint headquarters.

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instantprint has also announced that it will be a Real Living Wage employer. The Real Living Wage is voluntarily paid by around 7,000 UK businesses who believe their staff deserve a wage which meets every day needs. The Real Living Wage is at least £9.50 per hour - £1.14 more than the UK minimum wage of £8.91.

Angela Hunter, TX Operations Manager at instantprint, said; “Despite Covid-19, we have gone from strength to strength. Due to this, alongside ongoing investment in our people and production facility, and a forecasted increase in demand following the end of Covid-19 restrictions, we are so proud to be able to expand the instantprint family yet again and create further job opportunities.”

“Although the business employs over 600 people, we still have that start-up mentality and part of that is having a close-knit team who contribute to the positive working culture that we have and take pride in.

“We look forward to receiving CVs and meeting with candidates in the coming weeks.”

instantprint is part of the Bluetree Group, which has also seen a recruitment surge for its medical manufacturing division, also based in Rotherham.

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News: Recruitment surge at Bluetree

Following unprecedented growth and an investment of £18m over the past year, the Rotherham-based print and medical manufacturer Bluetree Group is recruiting for 60 new positions to help meet the growing demand of its services.

Roles are available across both the print and medical branches of the Manvers business, including machine operatives and Client Service Executives.

Bluetree Group is the UK’s fastest growing printer and in 2020 became the UK’s first manufacturer of Type IIR Surgical masks.

Since the medical arm of the company was established in April 2020, Bluetree has grown from 360 employees to in excess of 585, and is now looking for more like-minded people to join the business.

The company prides itself on producing high quality yet affordable products through investing in the latest technology, optimising its manufacturing processes, and nurturing its employees to meet the ever-growing demand of its customers.

Successful applicants will be working for an award-winning company that has twice appeared in the Virgin Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

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Specialising in print for 32 years, Bluetree Group recently expanded into the medical field following a rise in demand for Type IIR Surgical masks, building a dedicated manufacturing facility in a neighbouring unit on their Manvers site. Bluetree Medical is now a proud supplier for the NHS.

To keep up with this high level of growth, there are now 60 positions available across the business. As Bluetree prides itself on its people, candidates will be assessed on values such as positivity to ensure a good team fit during the interview process.

Jarred Stone, who recently joined Bluetree Group, said: “I joined Bluetree last September and by the start of the new year, I’d progressed to a team leader position. This just goes to show that if you put in the effort and show that you fit the company values, there’s plenty of scope for progression.

“I love the job, I love the people and I love the attitude – everyone’s working towards the same goal, and knowing that we’re making a huge difference in the community by manufacturing Type IIR Surgical masks is the best feeling of all.”

A number of trainee positions will be available through the Government Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding to create new job placements for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

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News: Rotherham companies to inspire Britain

A number of Rotherham-based firms feature in the London Stock Exchange Group's "1000 Companies to Inspire Britain" report, which identifies the UK’s most dynamic and fastest-growing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

SMEs account for around 60% of employment and over 50% of turnover in the UK private sector. The companies featured in this year's report have recorded an annual average revenue growth rate of 41.2% and have generated more than 42,000 jobs in the two years to December 2019.

Manvers-based Bluetree Group has been picked out for special praise, given the way it has pivoted its print business to become a mask manufacturer. The company is the first in England to produce Meltblown, a filtration layer used in personal protection equipment.

Featuring in the report, Adam Carnell, a Director at Bluetree Group, said: "Over the past 12 months, we have invested over £18m into our production facility and recruited an additional 400 colleagues, doubling in size, enabling us to produce 20 million Type IIR masks per week."

Lighting manufacturer ASD Lighting is also featured. Based on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, ASD has a reputation for innovation and quality and provides a range of products for domestic and commercial installations. The firm increased turnover by over £1m to £25m for the year ending June 2019. Profit before tax increased slightly to £3.8m.

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Another Rotherham firm featured is Empire Tapes, which is a manufacturer, rewinder and converter of adhesive tape. Based at Manvers, the company also includes Empire Tapes Plc - the UK's largest producer of technical tapes for the sports industry and seen around the world on the top figures in boxing.

Real estate company, Harworth Group PLC, is also in the report. Based close to its flagship Waverley development, the listed firm is a specialist in brownfield regeneration and has a £232.3m income-producing portfolio across the UK.

Pricecheck, an international wholesaler and distributor of fast-moving consumer goods, is also on the list. The company, which has its main warehouse facility at Beighton Link and further space at Manvers, recently achieved its ambitious target of £100m turnover by 2020. Trusted by the world's biggest brands, Pricecheck offers more than 6,000 branded products to customers in the UK and to more than 80 countries globally.

Another Rotherham business in the report is the Underwood Meat Company which is a catering butcher which also operates a number of its own retail outlets. For the year to October 2019, turnover had increased to £78m from £74m in the previous year.

Wilsons Carpets is the final Rotherham entry in the report. The growin firm has stores and warehouses that stock over 1 million square metres of flooring.

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News: NHS face mask contract creates 400 new jobs at Rotherham firm

Rotherham-based Bluetree Group has secured a contract to provide the NHS with a steady supply of Type IIR-medical grade face masks - one of the most sought-after masks in UK healthcare.

The Mavers firm - the first UK business to manufacture type IIR face masks – will produce 1.7 million masks per day, providing essential support to frontline health and care workers and contributing to the Government's Make initiative.

Due to high production demand, the Yorkshire-based manufacturer is currently in the process of doubling its workforce, taking on 400 new employees.

Bluetree Group decided to diversify its business back in March following an appeal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which called on the manufacturing industry to help increase face mask production by 40%.

From that moment on, the team then worked tirelessly to convert its operation, ensuring production met all the necessary medical guidelines and finalising the complex regulations for medical grade certification.

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Adam Carnell, director at Bluetree Group, said: "This contract gives us the opportunity to help produce millions more much-needed surgical masks for NHS and frontline workers using our specialist machinery and team of skilled machine operators.

"This is a period of significant growth for Bluetree Group and we're looking to recruit 400 people in total to help meet increased production demand. Roles we’re recruiting for include machine operators, engineers, lab technicians and logistics professionals. Our priority is ensuring those who need these items most get them, and we look forward to growing our exceptional team."

Health Minister Jo Churchill said: "The response from Northern Powerhouse companies has been phenomenal and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to the national drive.

"Every health and care worker must have access to PPE and through this national effort we are building more resilient, UK-based supply chains to guarantee an uninterrupted flow to the frontline.

"We have already struck deals with around 30 UK companies to manufacture PPE and over 100 suppliers to deliver items at scale and pace. We will continue to identify further opportunities to get more PPE to the frontline rapidly."

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News: Charity fundraising proves good for business for Bluetree

An award-winning Rotherham business which brought in £11,500 for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice found that fundraising united its team.

Bluetree Group, one of the UK’s largest online printing businesses, employs over 400 staff at its factory at Manvers.

The company decided to focus its charity work by appointing Bluebell Wood as  its ever first Charity of the Year last January.

Based at North Anston in Rotherham, Bluebell Wood provides care and support to families who have a child who has a life limiting condition and is not expected to live into adulthood. It has to raise over £4m each year to continue its work, and receives less than 10% statutory funding.

Emily Gray, a content marketing executive for the group and head of its fundraising efforts, said: "Fundraising has always been a key part of our culture, bringing our team together and having fun in the process. Our team always enjoyed it and we decided to take things further and dedicate our efforts to a worthy local cause.

"We created an events committee and elected a Charity of the Year to focus our efforts. Choosing Bluebell Wood was an easy decision. We’ve been aware of its amazing work supporting families for a long time and have done various fundraising for it in the past. This was an opportunity to give something really substantial to a cause that we really believe in.

"At the beginning of 2019 we pledged to raise £5,000, but we more than doubled that and raised around £11,500. The fun and the opportunities it gave us to bring different team members together has only been good for our business."

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In June, 16 of its team became intrepid explorers and set forth at midnight to climb Mount Snowdon on the hospice's Sunrise on Snowdon fundraiser, raising £2,294.

A month later, two teams rowed in the hospice's annual Manvers Lake Dragon Boat Race, raising £1,151 in sponsorship. They also held a week of internal fundraisers involving leg-waxing, head-shaving, sponge-throwing, cake-baking, an auction and car-washing antics, bringing in £1,187.67.

Five brave colleagues even did a sponsored sky-dive, raising £2,614, and a Halloween bake sale and Christmas jumper event raised another £250.

In addition, the company gave the hospice £3,500 of free printing, £2,000 of envelopes and colleagues filled 50 hospice collection bags destined for its charity shops.

Julie Hampson, corporate fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: "We were proud to be the first charity Bluetree's staff have given an entire year of fundraising support to and delighted to hear that they have raised £11,500 for us.

"This is what happens when employees are given the chance to work together for a good cause. We have lots of support and encouragement ready to give to other companies who would like us to be their Charity of The Year in 2020.

"We are currently supporting over 300 families of children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire and it costs more than £4.8m to keep our doors open."

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News: instantprint keeping it fresh with scented menus

It was crust a matter of time and now a Rotherham-based printer has produced the world's first pizza scented menus.

Specialising in 24-hour flyer and leaflets, business cards, posters and stationery, instantprint's product development team was approached by Danny Holman and Simon Holder, aka The Pizza Boys, an independent, Bicester based pizza truck. The existing customers came up with the challenge of sealing the scent of their pizzas into the menus, with long-lasting effect.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012 and then moved into bigger premises at Manvers where staff numbers have passed the 250 mark, with further expansion planned.

instantprint, who currently hold Guinness World Record title of the World's Largest Business Card, are no strangers to a challenge and got its print team on to the job of researching inks and print methods to bring some life, and smell, to the menus.

Jon Constantine-Smith, head of instantprint said: "Simon and Danny were existing customers of ours and when they came to us with this off the wall idea for menus, we of course jumped to the challenge. We pride ourselves on being able to deliver exactly what our customers want, and we weren't about to let the fact we'd never done it before stop us."

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The menus were created using scented varnish that sees the scent sealed into the paper fibres through a heat setting printing method.

Danny said: "Myself and Simon take real pride in the pizzas we make, using only the finest Italian ingredients along with locally sourced produce to create the best tasting innovative pizza flavours in the area.

"We really wanted this to be reflected in everything, from our custom-built pizza trailer to our menus and branding which is how the idea for scented menus came about. We wanted to stand out for being different and if we're honest, we weren't at all sure it was possible but the guys at instantprint really rose to the challenge.

"We could smell the unmistakeable scent of pizza seasoning when we opened up the package of menus, and we couldn't be more pleased."

Earlier this year, the printers acquired the premises next door to its current location in an expansion that sees the companies' capacity increase by 45%, with the new floorspace being utilised to house staff, including 40 new starters, and also the £6.5m of new technology that has been invested in.

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News: Bluetree Group confirm Rotherham expansion

Fast-growing Rotherham-based print manufacturer, Bluetree Group, has confirmed further expansion at its Manvers base.

Bluetree Group is the market leader in online print and is made up of two customer facing brands - instantprint and Route1Print. Funding from Barclays and the Sheffield City Region Growth Fund Programme enabled Bluetree to move to a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park in 2015. It took on the unit that had been empty since DBC Foodservice entered administration in 2012.

Having invested some £20m in its print production facility, the firm has now confirmed plans to expand its manufacturing facility into a neighbouring unit which will increase their total footprint by 45% to 145,000 sq ft, paving the way for Bluetree's continuing growth.

Adam Carnell, co-founder of instantprint said: "We're in an exciting position with the business continuing to grow very rapidly year on year as more consumers choose to purchase their printed products online. When we first moved into the building in 2015 it seemed vast but with the investment in new equipment the space has been filling up quickly. The additional production space will allow the business to fulfil its growing demand and also add new products to the current line-up."

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With Bluetree's confirmed expansion, it is anticipated that recruitment will begin at the end of 2019 to fulfil various production roles within the new facility.

Vicki Russell, head of HR at Bluetree Group, said: "We're very lucky to have secured a neighbouring facility so we can continue to thrive in Rotherham with our dedicated, passionate work force that has expanded by over 200 colleagues over the past five years alone. With our expansion, we're very excited to invest in our existing workforce and look forward to welcoming even more members to the Bluetree family."

Renovation on the newly purchased facility will begin during spring 2019 and run through to early 2020; when Bluetree anticipates everything to be up and running.

With its roots dating back to 1989, the former Templeborough firm has evolved from a traditional screen printer to a predominantly digital offering. In 2012 the business merged with instantprint.co.uk to provide a multi-channel offering.

Since the merger, and for two years in a row, the firm was named as one of the top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100.

St Paul's Developments and funding partner Tritax Assets Ltd purchased the 85 acre former colliery and coking plant site at Manvers from Rotherham Council in 2005 and the brownfield regeneration specialist completed around 1.7 m sq ft of industrial and warehouse space, bringing over 1,800 jobs to Rotherham.

Nearby Cortonwood Colliery is where the 1984 miners strike began and was also the first colliery to be closed after the miners' strike ended.

Bluetree Group website
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News: instantprint invests a further £3.25m

Fast-growing online printing company instantprint has announced that it is investing a further £3.25m into the latest print technology this summer, creating up to 40 new job opportunities at its Rotherham facility.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. The group moved to bigger Rotherham premises in 2015 when funding from Barclays and the Sheffield City Region Growth Fund Programme enabled the company to take a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park in Manvers.

Over the last five years, instantprint has invested over £20m into their print production facility and, as a direct result, it has seen an increase in 206 employees over the last four years. Thanks to the recent investment, the printing firm is set to expand further, aiming to recruit a further 40 new employees before September.

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James Kinsella, Co-Founder of instantprint, said: "Our investment provides opportunities for both instantprint and for people in the region wanting to work for an exciting and growing business. As a result of this investment, we’re able to create a significant amount of job opportunities in the local area.

"At instantprint we're all about providing affordable print for small and micro businesses. This investment enables us to do what we do best – help small businesses thrive."

With this latest round of investment, instantprint aims to streamline turnaround times on booklets and large format printing. This will allow instantprint to offer even faster production times.

Kinsella added: "We've purchased two new print engines, both high-definition inkjet screen presses, these combined with in-line Tecnau cutting systems will really bolster our capacity, and further increase our efficiency. We have also recommissioned our second large format HP Scitex 11,000 print engine. Ultimately this investment strengthens our promise of fast turnarounds, helps us maintain our competitive prices and widens our product range.

"We've also invested substantially in our cutting, stitching and binding equipment, which will be a game changer for our stitched, wire bound and perfect bound books as we're now able to offer a speedier turnaround for those products."

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News: Rotherham's inspirational SMEs

Five Rotherham-based firms have been included in the London Stock Exchange Group's "1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain" report, which identifies the UK's most dynamic and fastest growing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Now in its fifth year, the report shows that those included SMEs are growing at 71% on average and that one third of them come from the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine regions. 70 SMEs on the list are based in Yorkshire and companies were selected based on combined key financial performance indicators and sector benchmarks.


Staying on the list from 2017, Rotherham-based Bluetree Design and Print, Crawshaw plc and Wilsons Carpets are joined by Pricecheck Toiletries and Empire Tapes.

The Bluetree Group operates through a number of different brands, including Route 1 Print and instantprint. The £30m turnover group moved to bigger Rotherham premises in 2015. Funding from Barclays and the Sheffield City Region Growth Fund Programme enabled the company to take a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park in Manvers. Staff numbers have passed the 250 mark.

Crawshaw Group Plc is the UK's leading value butcher. The AIM-listed firm is based at Hellaby and a transformational deal with the 2 Sisters Food Group in 2017 enabled Crawshaw to restart its accelerated new store opening programme, with an initial focus on factory shop locations.

Established in 1968, Wilsons Carpets is a family firm specialises in carpets, laminate, rugs, vinyl flooring and artificial grass. Headquartered at Houndhill Park, Manvers, it has grown to run 15 stores across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with one of the largest now at The Gateway in Parkgate, Rotherham.

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Fast-growing supplier of international branded consumer goods, Pricecheck Toiletries, is celebrating 40 years in business this year and is heading past the £70m annual turnover mark. Officially opening in 2016, new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham matched the firm's ambitious future growth plans, with the 115,000 sq ft warehouse able to accommodate 40% more than previously achievable and offices that tripled in size. The business now boasts a total of 170,000 sq ft and aims to reach £200m turnover by 2025.

Founded in 1993 and with its base at Manvers, Empire Tapes are manufacturers, rewinders and converters of adhesive tape. Earlier this year it bagged new banking facilities from Barclays to support expansion plans and the launch of a new product called "Pro Tape" which has been endorsed by Yorkshire boxer Nicola Adams and was used by Conor McGregor in the recent training camp and fight with Floyd Mayweather.

David Warren, interim CEO and group CFO of the London Stock Exchange Group, said: "1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2018 clearly illustrates the economic potential of the UK's SMEs and underlines the diversity and resilience of these businesses. Their geographical and sector variety lays the foundation for a diverse and balanced economy, enabling the skills and entrepreneurship of many thousands of people to flourish.

"Our role and that of the Government and the financial ecosystem is to ensure that high-growth businesses receive support to realise their growth potential. This not only benefits the companies, but the UK economy as a whole, by creating the jobs of tomorrow."

The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: "Small businesses are the backbone of the British economy with a combined annual turnover of £1.9 trillion and employ 60% of private sector workers outside of London. That's why, whether they are family run firms or tech start-ups, we are supporting high growth SMEs to achieve their potential."

Bluetree website
Crawshaw website
Wilsons Carpets website
Pricecheck website
Empire Tapes website
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News: Bluetree Group aiming for European success

Fast growing Rotherham-based print business, Bluetree Group, is appealing for public votes as it represents the United Kingdom in Europe's largest business competition, the European Business Awards.

Since 2007, the European Business Awards has been shining a light on the most innovative businesses on the continent by promoting success, innovation and ethics in the European business community.

Based at Manvers, The Bluetree Group operates through a number of different brands, including Route 1 Print and instantprint.

After being named the UK winner of businesses with a turnover of £26 - £100m, Bluetree Group are now competing in a public vote to be named "European Public Champion" in the awards final stages set to take place in Warsaw, Poland this May. The print manufacturer has created a video that demonstrates their company's operations in hopes to engage with people from across the globe. Last year the public vote generated almost 250,000 votes.

To vote for Bluetree as the public champion at the final of the European Business Awards 2018 visit https://www.businessawardseurope.com/vote/detail-new/28/26751

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James Kinsella, director of ecommerce at Bluetree Group, said: "Myself and the entire team at Bluetree are delighted to represent the UK in the final stages of the European Business Awards in Warsaw. Making it this far is testament to the hard work that everyone at Bluetree has put in over the last year. We now need the UK to get behind one of their own and vote for us to become the European winners."

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards said: "This is an amazing achievement and Bluetree is clearly a stand out leader in their field. To be a National Winner means you represent our core values of success, ethics and innovation and are one of the best in Europe. We wish you the best of luck in the final round."

The primary purpose of the awards is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. Last year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE and PR Newswire.

Established in 1989, the Bluetree Group, previously at Templeborough, has evolved from a traditional screen printer to a predominantly digital offering. It took space at the Ignite @ Magna development in 2007 and in 2012 the business merged with instantprint.co.uk to provide a multi-channel offering.

The group moved to bigger Rotherham premises in 2015. Funding from Barclays and the Sheffield City Region Growth Fund Programme enabled the company to take a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park in Manvers. Staff numbers have passed the 250 mark.

Bluetree Group website

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News: instantprint launches in the US

Rotherham-based online printing company instantprint has recently expanded its services into the US.

Launching in the USA is a huge achievement for instantprint and further evidence of its incredible success in the UK. Since launching in 2009, instantprint have gone from strength to strength.

The company was named 88th in the 2016 Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 and was recently included in the London Stock Exchange Group's 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain - a celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises. Not to mention being listed as one of the 12 National Winners in the United Kingdom at an exclusive event for The European Business Awards in January 2018.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. It then moved into bigger premises at Manvers where staff numbers have passed the 250 mark.

When childhood friends Adam Carnell and James Kinsella, graduated, they had already spotted a gap in the market for online printing. The duo founded Instantprint using second-hand printing equipment and a borrowed office.

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James Kinsella, co-founder of instantprint (pictured left), said: "This is a very exciting move for the business and the team which has created a real buzz through the office. We feel that our customer focused proposition will resonate with US clients who want to deal with real people but buy print in a quick, easy way. It's very early days but the feedback we've had so far has been great and we're excited to see what the future holds."

Adam Carnell, co-founder of instantprint (pictured right), added: "Nine years ago we saw an opportunity in the UK market to provide online print with a difference. One that takes advantage of the benefits of the online world, but is still backed up by real people who can guide, check and help, just like your local printer. This business model has been hugely successful in the UK, with our team winning multiple business awards from appearing in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 in 2016 to being named as one of the National Winners at the 2018 European Business Awards.

"Having been fortunate enough to have experienced continual growth, we are now going to offer the same great print services to customers in the US."

instantprint has selected FedEx as its courier service provider to the USA. By partnering with FedEx instantprint are able to provide printed materials to US customers within two working days. Customers are able to track deliveries, receive notifications when packages are delivered and are able to manage packages from the FedEx mobile app.

Instantprint website

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News: instantprint impressed by tent inventor's pitch

An inventor of an innovative wearable personal shelter has won £6,500 worth of marketing materials as part of a business competition organised by fast growing Rotherham-based online printer, instantprint.

Part of the Manvers-based Bluetree Group, instantprint ran the Launch Of A Lifetime competition as part of its mission to support the UK's small businesses.

Lee Price won the prize after pitching his innovative Zelter Shelter - a personal shelter you can wear.

The competition, aimed to accelerate the success of the winner, included free graphic design time, an iZettle reader, a Dotmailer email marketing subscription, a social media and SEO plan, as well 1 year of free legal advice and templates.

James Kinsella, co-Founder of instantprint, said: "Our Launch of a Lifetime competition received hundreds of entries and after careful consideration Zelter Shelter was selected as the winner.

"Helping small and micro businesses grow their business is at the heart of everything we do. Marketing materials and promotional print make up the core of our business but throughout 2017 we wanted to offer support in all areas of running a business and our Launch of a Lifetime competition is part of this. We're excited to see how the prizes can help Lee develop Zelter Shelter further throughout 2018."

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Lee Price, owner of Zelter Shelter (pictured, back row, centre), added: "We're so pleased to have been chosen as the winner of instantprint's launch of a lifetime competition. Printed marketing has been important because when you're with people it has immediacy and professionalism – a physical thing that people can see and take away with them. This is important in the places where I've been taking the product and it's a great complement to digital media.

"We're focused on creating highly functional gear for outdoor safety and enjoyment. Zelter gear is durable and effective, highly portable and made for extreme situations. We're based in Sheffield and preparing to launch our first product on a large scale."

instantprint started as micro-business. When childhood friends Adam Carnell and James Kinsella, graduated, they had already spotted a gap in the market for online printing. The duo founded Instantprint in 2009 using second-hand printing equipment and a borrowed office.

Going from strength to strength and with turnover at around £30m, the company has been included in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 for two consecutive years. To be included in this, companies must have an average of three year sales growth ranging between 45% and 37.5% per annum and sales ranging between £5m and £100m.

Furthermore, instantprint were included in the London Stock Exchange Group's 100 Companies to Inspire Britain report, which showcases the UK's most inspiring and fastest growing companies.

instantprint website
Zelter website

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News: instantprint seeks pioneering new business idea

Fast growing Rotherham-based online printer, instantprint, is on the search for a new business idea which has bundles of potential and deserves the launch of a life-time.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. It then moved into bigger premises at Manvers where staff numbers have passed the 250 mark. From new premises, the Bluetree Group operates through a number of different brands, including Route 1 Print and instantprint and is expecting to turnover £30m this year.

From logo design to legal advice, instantprint want to provide an innovative business idea with the foundations they need to flourish and succeed in today's competitive market.

With only 3% of small business owners using Government funding to grow, initial capital can be difficult to raise. Earlier this year, instantprint conducted a survey of small business owners to unearth the issues entrepreneurs are facing. The survey revealed many SMEs are struggling to grow under a mountain of red tape and funding issues, therefore instantprint believe the "Launch of a Lifetime" will help them continue their mission to support the UK's small businesses.

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James Kinsella, co-founder of instantprint, said: "As instantprint began as a micro-business with only two of us trying to grow the business organically, we understand how difficult it is to find the capital needed to start generating revenue. We're delighted this competition will not only highlight the incredible ideas British business owners have, but give one amazing Startup the marketing and legal support they need to grow."

When childhood friends Adam Carnell and James Kinsella, graduated, they had already spotted a gap in the market for online printing. The duo founded Instantprint in 2009 using second-hand printing equipment and a borrowed office.

instantprint have teamed up with massive B2B brands such as iZettle and Dotmailer to give away over £6,500 worth of resources to the winner of their search that cover a huge range of costs start-ups have to cover.

All entrepreneurs have to do to enter is pitch their business idea on the instantprint website.

The winner will be someone who instantprint believes could take their business to huge heights with the right support.

Prizes include: iZettle reader with £2500 worth of fee transactions; Logo Design, Email Marketing Template and 6500 Printed Materials from instantprint; a 12 month Dotmailer email licence with 240k emails; social media strategy, SEO marketing strategy and a marketing campaign plan from global marketing agency, Intermarketing; legal advice and templates with a 1-year Access package from Lawbite.

Instantprint website

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News: Rotherham print group continues to invest

Fast growing print business, Bluetree, continues to invest and expand in Rotherham.

The Bluetree Group operates through a number of different brands, including Route 1 Print and instantprint. Described as a "major strategic move," Bluetree Connect has now been launched to simplify print procurement for print management companies and enterprise clients.

Bluetree Connect will specialise in offering clients a range of solutions which automate print procurement, helping reduce transactional and admin costs. The new brand aims to remove manual processes from buying print at scale.

The group moved to bigger Rotherham premises in 2015. Funding from Barclays and the Sheffield City Region Growth Fund Programme enabled the company to take a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park in Manvers. Staff numbers have passed the 250 mark.

Established in 1989, the firm, previously at Templeborough, has evolved from a traditional screen printer to a predominantly digital offering. It took space at the Ignite @ Magna development in 2007 and in 2012 the business merged with instantprint.co.uk to provide a multi-channel offering.

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Route 1 Print, the business to business arm of the Bluetree Group, is spearheading a summer investment of £4m in new systems.

Three StitchLiners from IFS are being installed, among the UK's first delivery from Horizon in Japan, to help launch a 24-hour dispatch service and support fast turnaround, short run book production.

Jack Wilmott, brand manager at Route 1 Print, said: "We want to introduce a 24-hour service and to do that we needed to enhance our short run book production. We need it to be faster and to meet the demand for shorter run work.

"We are expecting to turnover £30m this year and we estimate that the new systems will increase our booklet making capacity by about 63%. They will give us more flexibility and streamline production now that everything is sheet work. We can get work on and off them much faster and that ensures quick and flexible production."

Bluetree Group

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News: Rotherham companies to inspire Britain

Rotherham-based Bluetree Design and Print, Crawshaw plc and Wilsons Carpets have all been named on a report that identifies the fastest-growing and most dynamic SMEs across the UK.

Now in its fourth year, The London Stock Exchange Group's (LSEG's) 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain has gained real prominence among UK businesses. The annual report identifies the UK's most dynamic SMEs and high growth potential companies across sectors and regions, highlighting the best of British small business. It shows companies growing at 70% per year, up from 50% last year.


Fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design and Print Ltd moved to bigger Rotherham premises in 2015, taking on new staff. Established in 1989, the firm, previously at Templeborough, has evolved from a traditional screen printer to a predominantly digital offering. It took space at the Ignite @ Magna development in 2007 and in 2012 the business merged with instantprint.co.uk to provide a multi-channel offering.

Funding from Barclays and the Sheffield City Region Growth Fund Programme enabled the company to move to a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park in Manvers. Staff numbers have passed the 250 mark.

Last year, instantprint cemented its place in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 when it was ranked 88th (3rd in Yorkshire) after seeing its revenue grow by an average of 54% per year over the past three years. It became the first Rotherham-based company to make the list in 2015. instantprint posted sales of £19.9m at the end of April 2016.

The group offers a range of online print products through the instantprint, Bluetree and Route One Print brands. Customers range from sole traders to multinationals and the company claims it prints 450,000 business cards a day.

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Crawshaw plc is an AIM-listed fresh meat and food to go retailer based at Hellaby that is undergoing growth plans that will see it invest £200m, opening 200 stores and creating 2,500 jobs.

Results for the full year ended January 29 2017 included turnover up 19% to £44.2m from the £37.1m reported in the previous year. Investing in expansion plans, the group made a loss before tax of £1.4m, an increase on the loss of £0.3m.

The group, which has the former CEO of Lidl in the UK and the former boss of budget chain Poundland on its executive team, recently concluded a deal with that will see 2 Sisters Food Group founder and chief executive, Ranjit Boparan (and connected party), invest approximately £5.1m for a 29.9% stake in Crawshaw, with warrants to acquire a further 20.1% of the Group. The new investment is expected to enable Crawshaw to restart its accelerated new store opening programme, with an initial focus on factory shop locations.

Wilsons Carpets, the flooring retailer, also made the list. Last year plans were submitted for a new purpose built 55,000 sq ft distribution warehouse in Rotherham that would be the foundation for growth and a national roll-out.

Established in 1968, the family firm specialises in carpets, laminate, rugs, vinyl flooring and artificial grass. Headquartered at Houndhill Park, Manvers, it has grown to run 13 stores across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with one of the largest now at The Gateway in Parkgate, Rotherham.

Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: "I want to congratulate the 1,000 companies from across the UK featured in London Stock Exchange Group’s pioneering 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report. Championing high growth innovative SMEs is crucial for the continued success of the UK economy and a country that works for everyone. We are committed to ensuring that companies of all sizes can access finance to grow, scale-up and create high quality well-paid jobs across the country."

Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group, added: "Four years on, LSEG's "1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain" report continues to highlight the dynamic, entrepreneurial and ambitious businesses across the country that are boosting UK productivity, driving economic growth and creating jobs. The strength and diversity of these companies is readily apparent with a broad mix of UK regions and sectors represented. These companies are the very heart of an "anti-fragile" economy: more robust; more flexible and less prone to boom and bust. We must ensure we continue doing all we can to support high growth potential businesses like these.

"London Stock Exchange Group is fully committed to supporting and implementing initiatives which improve access to and cut the cost of finance for growing companies. We welcome the Government's focus on supporting SMEs as part of its Industrial Strategy and await the outcome of its review into long-term patient capital."

Bluetree website
Crawshaw website
LSEG website

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News: Instantprint press on with expansion

Rotherham-based online printing company, instantprint has announced that over 20 new jobs will be available from September 2016, as the business continues its expansion.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. It moved into bigger Rotherham premises at Manvers last year where staff numbers have hit the 200 mark.

The latest recruitment drive is part of a planned creation of 100 jobs over the course of a year, following the investment of a £1m grant funded by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterpeise Partnership's (LEP's) Unlocking Business Investment Regional Growth Fund programme.

Among the vacancies advertised this summer are roles across a variety of levels and departments including artwork, web development and business development.

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James Kinsella co-founder of Instantprint, said: "It's terrific that we are able to continue to grow at such a rate, and it's a credit to everyone involved in the business. We are constantly on the lookout for fresh talent and I can't wait to welcome this new group to the company."

As part of the recruitment process, instantprint are hosting an assessment day for applicants for 11 factory production positions on August 26 between 09:30 and 15:00, at Holiday Inn, Wath upon Dearne. Attendance for this event is strictly by invitation only and details can be found here.

The company now specialises in 24-hour flyer and leaflets, business cards, posters and stationery printing. It also offers large format print such as banners and exhibition display stands for events and promotions.

Instantprint became he first Rotherham-based company to make the annual Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table which ranks Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing sales over three years. With sales of £3.4m in 2012, and reaching £14.4m in 2015, annual sales growth over three years was 62%, ranking Instantprint at 50th in the table.

When childhood friends Adam Carnell and James Kinsella graduated, they had already spotted a gap in the market for online printing. The duo founded Instantprint in 2009 using second-hand printing equipment and a borrowed office.

Established in 1989, the Bluetree Design & Print Ltd has evolved from a traditional screen printer to a predominantly digital offering. It took space at the Ignite @ Magna development at Templeborough in 2007. Funding from Barclays and the Region Growth Fund Programme enabled the group to move to a new 86,900 sq ft site at Brookfields Park.

Instantprint website

Images: Instantprint

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News: Instantprint on fast track to success

Rotherham-based online printing company, instantprint.co.uk, is one of the top 100 companies in the UK with the fastest-growing sales.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. It recently moved into bigger Rotherham premises at Manvers where staff numbers have hit the 200 mark.

The 19th annual Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table ranks Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing sales over three years. With sales of £3.4m in 2012, and reaching £14.4m this year, annual sales growth over three years is 62%, ranking Instantprint at 50th in the table. It is the first Rotherham-based company to make the list.

When childhood friends Adam Carnell and James Kinsella, both 28, graduated, they had already spotted a gap in the market for online printing. The duo founded Instantprint in 2009 using second-hand printing equipment and a borrowed office.

In 2012 the company merged with Templeborough-based point-of-sale printing specialist Bluetree, and it now offers a range of online print products through the Instantprint, Bluetree and Route One Print brands. Customers range from sole traders to multinationals and the company claims it prints 450,000 business cards a day.

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James Kinsella, co-founder of Instantprint (pictured, right), said: "It's a great result for the business to be included in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 and goes to show that all the hard work the team have put in is paying off. With the tougher jobs market over the past few years the business has really benefited from being able to take on new team members that a small business might not otherwise have been able to attract, this has certainly been a key factor in the growth that we have been able to achieve.

"With the growth of online marketing, the print market is going through a lot of change but it's still a thriving industry. Online has opened up print to many small and micro businesses that couldn't previously afford to promote themselves this way - now they can go online and within a couple of minutes design and order print for delivery a couple of days later. We work with over 130,000 small and micro businesses across the UK and it's always inspiring to see how creative they are when using print to market themselves."

Instantprint recently smashed the world record for the biggest business card, printing a card measuring 2.3 meters by 1.5 meters - 728 times the area of a normal business card - at their premises at Brookfields Park.

Kinsella added: "Instantprint made the move from Newcastle to Rotherham in 2012 when it merged with Bluetree Design and Print. South Yorkshire has been great for the online business due to its central location in the UK as well as a strong history in manufacturing has made it easier to recruit the additional 150 skilled people we've taken on over the last three years."

The list includes businesses such as Greentech, BrewDog, Southampton FC, Oak Furniture Land and Rapha - the premium cycling brand set up by Rotherham-born marketer, Simon Mottram.

Sir Richard Branson of Virgin, the title sponsor of the league table for all 19 years, commented: "This year's Fast Track 100 is packed full of entrepreneurs and family businesses tackling many different challenges head-on and thriving thanks to their team spirit and togetherness. Entrepreneurship and family values are at the heart of everything we do at Virgin. Like many on the Fast Track 100, we've turned a family business into a business family. Working with family works."

Instantprint website

Images: Instantprint / YouTube

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News: Instantprint's world record

Rotherham-based online printing company, instantprint.co.uk, has used Guinness World Records Day to showcase its own entry - the official world record for creating the "biggest business card."

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. It recently moved into bigger Rotherham premises at Manvers where staff numbers have hit the 200 mark.

Measuring 2.3 meters by 1.5 meters - 728 times the area of a normal business card - instantprint invited staff and friends to witness the record attempt at their premises at Brookfields Park.

The card was initially measured by local independent chartered surveyor Gavin Sampson from Inform Surveying, before it was passed from one person to another as a normal card would be. It had to withstand the normal requirements of a business card and clearly display contact details and company information.

The record attempt was then verified by Guinness World Records adjudicator Pravin Patel to ensure it met the standards required to make a new record. Staff celebrated as the world record was confirmed and the certificate handed over.

James Kinsella, co-owner at instantprint (pictured, right), said: "What better way to celebrate our recent move to larger premises and investment in the very latest printing technology, than to demonstrate we can print just about anything!

"It was a challenge finding just the right material to print on, to make sure the card could be held easily without bending. Once we'd trialled a few methods, we printed and measured them multiple times to make sure they were perfect.

"It was a real relief to receive the certificate from Guinness themselves, after months of planning from our team. I think it's a childhood dream for most people to achieve a world record and we'll definitely be displaying our certificate proudly."

Bluetree was established in 1989 in Templeborough, the company originally supplied printed point of sale and marketing materials to major high street retailers and banks. Following the 2012 merger the business has experienced rapid expansion. Turnover was £3.5m when the merger took place but has now risen to £14m in the last financial year with much of the growth being attributed to the expansion of online print across the UK.

Instantprint website
Bluetree website

Images: instantprint

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