Kent printing company, Thanet Press, awarded grant
Thanet Press, one of the top ranking printers in the UK, based in Margate, Kent, has been awarded a grant which will enable the company to build a controlled environment to produce instruction leaflets for the pharmaceutical industry. The company was awarded £236,550 by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) under the Selected Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) grant scheme.
Kent's investment promotion agency, Locate in Kent offers a grant advisory service, to raise awareness about grants available to eligible businesses and provide free assistance to companies in the completion of grant applications.
Thanks to the grant, nine new jobs will be created, and 86 jobs safeguarded. It will mean that the company can purchase a specialist machine to print and fold pharmacy leaflets and refit part of interior its existing premises to provide a controlled environment allowing Thanet Press to qualify for the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) PS9000 accreditation for pharmaceutical packaging materials.
Peter Symons at Locate in Kent said: "The grant awarded to Thanet Press demonstrates how important financial assistance can be for the expansion of a company. This is a great opportunity for a historic company that has been in operation for over 200 years to move forward and modernise by incorporating the latest innovative technologies. It's great news that yet another Kent-based company is feeding into the pharmaceutical supply chain."
Ken Lindsay, of Thanet Press said: "Thanet Press can now realise its full potential -this project allows us to expand into new markets and provide an environment which meets the ISO regulations. Locate in Kent have been invaluable in its support and help in securing the grant from SEEDA and its knowledge has been a real asset."
Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Roger Gough, said: "It is good to hear that this grant will safeguard jobs in Thanet and create new ones. It shows the importance of Kent County Council's continuing support for Locate in Kent's work. It is also encouraging that Thanet Press' innovation has been recognised by the award of this grant."
Thanet Press has been in operation for over 200 years and current clients include Procter & Gamble, Estée Lauder, universities and county councils. For more information regarding Thanet Press, visit http://www.thanet-press.co.uk/
For information about SFIE grants and relocation and support services offered by Locate in Kent visit http://www.locateinkent.com/ or call 01732 520700.
