A world-leading business in Halton is to benefit from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s new Strategic Investment Fund, after it was awarded a £2 million funding package to support its expansion.
The £2 million investment in the award-winning Sandon Global, a specialist engraving and printing technology business is set to create up to 10 apprenticeships each year, and 30 jobs in Runcorn during the next five years.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: “Our £500m Strategic Investment Fund enables us to back companies and projects that deliver good-quality jobs for local people. It’s absolutely right that we are able to support Sandon Global, one of our leading advanced manufacturing companies. Our investment will enable Sandon to continue to expand and prosper, right here in the Liverpool City Region.”
Sandon Global currently employs 70 full time staff and supplies products to more than 50 countries around the world.
They are acknowledged in the industry as a leading brand in the flexographic market and have received a range of accolades, including national awards for ‘Supplier of the Year’ Gold Award on seven occasions, since 2011, from the European Flexographic Industry Association (EFIA). In addition, they won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2016.
John Millington, Sandon Globe’s chief executive officer, said: “We are extremely proud of the progress made in recent years. The next chapter in the history of our business is an exciting one and with the fantastic support from the Metro Mayor and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Innovative, our strategic partners and, of course, our loyal and dedicated workforce – we are in a good position to realise our true potential in what is a highly skilled region.”
The £2m cash injection comes thanks to funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, in the form of a £250,000 grant and a £1.75m loan, which was approved at the end of June.
Sandon Global had a turnover of £6.4m last year and the Combined Authority has made it possible for the printing company to build a purpose-built manufacturing building as well as a new head office. This will include a state-of-the art research and development facility – all located on the Manor Park Industrial Estate, in Runcorn.
Sandon Global has established strong education partnerships with Riverside College in Widnes as well as Liverpool John Moores University. In total, the company, led by chief executive officer, John Millington, has delivered nine apprenticeships since its inception in 2004.