NICKLIN ACCESSES NEW MARKETS WITH HELP OF PUBLIC FUNDING

A Birmingham packaging manufacturer is expanding production to embrace new markets with the help of ‘European Regional Development’ funding secured by Birmingham City Council. Nechells-based Nicklin Transit Packaging, which provides bespoke timber and corrugated packaging products and services nationwide, has received £100k funding from the ERDF, through a package of support designed to help companies in regeneration areas of the city expand their operations and create jobs. The company has used the funding to refurbish parts of its expansive 150,000 sq ft site in central Birmingham and to help buy additional ‘lightweight’ corrugated packaging machinery, which will enable it to further expand its product range and complement its traditional ‘heavy duty’ timber and corrugated transit packaging offer. This is in line with the company’s objectives to enable a comprehensive range that will encompass ‘single source supply’ for user packaging requirements and unlock new markets. Commenting on the news, David Nicklin, managing director, says: “This funding is enabling us to capitalise on the economic recovery by expanding our product offer in line with our core strategy. Furthermore, by helping us to increase capacity and create more space for production we have been able to hire new personnel from the local area in line with the continued expansion of the business.” “Regional Development Funding can be a lifeline for ambitious, growing businesses who are looking to take operations to the next level and we greatly value the contribution of the local authority to our continued success.” Councillor Tahir Ali, Cabinet Member for Development, Jobs and Skills at Birmingham City Council, added: “Nicklin Transit Packaging is a good example of the kind of growing business in a regeneration area that this funding was designed to support. The company is making a significant contribution to job creation and local economic growth. I am delighted that the City Council is able to provide support to help the company continue its expansion.” Nicklin Transit Packaging is one of the UK’s oldest and most experienced transit packaging manufacturers. Based in the Nechells area of Birmingham, the company employs 75 staff and is scheduled to record a turnover of £7 million for 2013/14, which represents 78% growth since May 2010. Further information on the company is available at www.nicklin.com