New factory expands Mercian Labels capacity

The 45-year old label manufacturing business recently purchased the site on the Plant Lane Business Park in Burntwood to continue its expansion as a result of demand for its digital and security labeling products.

The new 24,000 sq ft factory represents a significant increase in capacity for the business that was previously based in a 6,000 sq ft site in Cannock.  Mercian Labels will be recruiting another 25 full time positions across its new Burntwood and existing Derby factories in the next three years to expand its team in a variety of roles including skilled production roles, apprenticeships, finance, marketing, sales, quality and management.
‘After seven consecutive years of growth we were experiencing significant overcrowding challenges,’ explained managing director Dr Adrian Steele. ‘We identified this vacant former speedboat manufacturing facility earlier this summer as being ideal for our future needs and with support from our professional advisers we secured a quick transaction in early August.  This allowed us to refit the site to our specification before moving the factory in October.’

The company has already committed to significant new machinery investment for 2015.  '”Poised for further growth” is an over-used term, but now that our capacity constraints have been lifted we expect further significant growth in the next three years,’ said Steele.

In the presence of 70 stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, staff, local councillors and professional advisers, Michael Fabricant MP unveiled a commemorative plaque at the factory. Fabricant revealed that he had been a customer of Mercian Labels before becoming an MP. ‘So it was a genuine pleasure and a privilege to open their new facility in Burntwood. Mercian Labels are just one of four specialized security label printers in the world so it is great to see more high technology moving into Lichfield District. I hope to visit them again when their new production line is installed.’

Attending the opening and factory tour were representatives from key suppliers from the labeling industry including Neil Lilly from Rotometrics, Phil Attwood from Avery Dennison, Nick Boyle from Manter and Paul Briggs from Xeikon.

Pickerings LLP in Tamworth completed the property transaction, while interior architecture consultants DSD Design advised on the refit design and specifications. The finance package was provided by Handlesbanken in Tamworth, and the project was supported by the Regional Growth Fund and the Business Development Programme that encourages job creating businesses in Staffordshire.