trading since 1979, this is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a profitable screen printing company, which is established in a niche market, supplying customised screen printed tea towels, aprons and shopper bags. They primarily supply to the uk but have a growing number of export customers. Their database of 1,000’s of customers, is comprised of schools, churches, charities, clubs, societies, restaurants, businesses and tourist centres … in fact anyone who needs to raise funds, promote their enterprise or grow their retail sales can benefit from their product. The business offers a full turnkey solution for their customers. They can develop a design from basic artwork and proof/sample the item to meet with complete approval and satisfaction, before producing the finished production run, which has varied between a minimum run of 25 items up to 130,000. There is a full and comprehensive range of the latest in machinery and equipment and a small team of skilled and experienced staff. This is one of a few businesses that has proved not to be affected in recessionary times, when fundraising is especially needed by schools and charities. The business is profitable, with low overheads, good cash flow and no bad debt. There is also considerable scope to grow the sales. This is a sound investment for a business entrepreneur who has fresh ideas and enthusiasm to take the business to the next level. Equipment: the business is fully computerised with six computers and monitors working with photoshop and sage software. There is a black and white scanner, a film printer to process artwork, a print down frame, 6kw light source, drying cabinet and screen reclamation power washer for screen production. A svecia screen printing machine (prints up to 33” x 50”) prints high quality images onto fabric at up to 300 units per hour. There are also drying racks, an infra red fabric curer for occasional use and storage racking for inks, stock and artwork. Office work is also supported with 3 lazer printers and photocopier. The whole workshop has well serviced electrical circuitry designed to protect all electrical equipment and has emergency lighting systems. All of the equipment and machinery is included in the sale of the business. Customer service: this is a full turnkey operation, which takes basic artwork and can either develop a customised design or work directly from their customers supplied artwork. Proof artwork can be supplied to customers and if necessary items can be sent as a sample for approval. Lead times are around 2-3 weeks from receipt of artwork although some rush jobs can be turned around within days depending on the time of year. Peak production is in the winter months. This business has a very strong reputation for providing a quality product and efficient service and has hundreds of glowing testimonials from satisfied customers to prove the point. Key strengths: with schools, churches, clubs, societies and tourist outlets needing to raise funds and to increase sales, there is a continual and regular repeat base of customers. The cost to the customer of a tea towel is between £1.20 and £2.50, depending on the quantity. These are low cost items to sell and can achieve good profits. The majority of their customers are uk based but there is a growing number of export customers. As customers are becoming more aware of environmental issues, the bag production of the business is seeing a marked increase of sales as people switch from plastic bags. The company works with high quality inks and uk sourced textiles employing the latest in design and production techniques. They are printing in excess of 200,000 units per annum and work on healthy profit margins. This is a profitable company which has developed its business through a unique textile printing process. They have a history of sustained turnover and have benefited in recent years from their website and on line enquiries. Growth and expansion: this is an outstanding opportunity to build on the effort and investment that has been put into making this company one of the leaders in this niche textile screen printing market. There is limited specialised competition in the uk and there is distinct scope for continued future growth. Dynamic leadership, coupled with the current knowledgeable and well skilled workforce, could dramatically increase sales. The owners have now reached retirement age and do not wish to enter new market opportunities which they can see emerging. A new owner with fresh ideas and enthusiasm will benefit from the solid building blocks that have been laid over the years for this business. There is also tremendous potential to increase the output of the business with unique individual designs at higher unit cost that can be added to their website sales. Much of the work comes in from referrals and word of mouth recommendations. A uk, european or usa agent would be able to build on current sales links and bring in new orders from a potentially vast market. And with the olympic games just around the corner in 2012 there is a huge opportunity out there ready to be grasped.
