Cannock firm secures £100,000 interest-free loan to boost productivity and win new contracts.
By Sarah Bancroft
••3 min read
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Generic image of industrial printing machinery in a workshop.
A Cannock-based printing business has significantly increased its production capacity and reduced operational costs following the successful acquisition of a £100,000 interest-free loan from Staffordshire County Council.
Kazoo Printing Solutions became the first business to benefit from the new Scale Up Staffordshire initiative, a programme offered through the Staffordshire Business and Environment Network (SBEN). The interest-free loan has funded the purchase of a new UV LED hybrid printer.
Since its installation, the new printer has effectively doubled Kazoo's printing output while simultaneously lowering running costs. This technological advancement has expanded the company's capabilities, allowing them to print on a broader spectrum of materials, including environmentally friendly substrates. The investment has also been instrumental in securing new contracts and accommodating larger orders that were previously unfeasible.
The increased workload has led to the creation of a full-time position, with a second job expected to follow. The Scale Up Staffordshire programme is designed to support ambitious small and medium-sized businesses across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, offering interest-free loans of up to £100,000 to enhance productivity, efficiency, and growth.
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"The quality of service we can offer to our clients will improve and production times will shorten, allowing Kazoo to win new business and increase turnover. We have quickly become a main player in our market. Previously, we have been turning large jobs away due to timelines, but this investment now opens these doors. The second day after the install, a new account was won."
Simon Talbot, Director of Kazoo PSG Ltd, highlighted that the support has significantly accelerated his business growth plans, stating that without the loan, it would have taken another year to save for the new printer. He also praised the application process and the support provided through the programme, describing it as 'very smooth' and 'stress free'.
The Scale Up Staffordshire Loan Programme is accessible to eligible businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that have been trading for a minimum of three years and are looking to invest in capital projects that foster business growth and efficiency. Loans can cover up to 80 per cent of project costs, with the remaining 20 per cent contributed by the business.
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"Kazoo's success shows exactly what the Scale Up Staffordshire Loan Programme is designed to achieve – helping ambitious businesses invest in the equipment and technology they need to grow. By doubling its production, reducing running costs, winning new contracts and looking at creating two new jobs, Kazoo is already seeing the benefits of its investment. We want to help more Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent businesses unlock their potential, improve productivity and create new opportunities for growth. I hope other eligible businesses will be inspired by Simon's experience and find out how the programme could support their own plans."
This programme is part of Staffordshire’s broader commitment to business investment and growth, working in conjunction with Invest Staffordshire, the county’s investment agency. Invest Staffordshire assists businesses looking to invest, expand, or relocate by connecting them with relevant sites, skills, support, and strategic partners. Further information on business eligibility and loan applications can be found on the Staffordshire Business and Enterprise Network (SBEN) website.
