The Printed Cup Company has been manufacturing paper cups from their factory in China since 2007 and has just opened a brand new facility to start making paper cups in the UK. Having received funding from the European Union’s Rural Development Programme, the company has started to produce its own printed paper cups in Lancashire and 75% of these will be exported.
The official opening of the new manufacturing unit took place on Tuesday 10th April and was jointly conducted by Nigel Evans MP and the Mayor of the Ribble Valley. A television crew from ITV’s Granada Reports was also present, who filmed the opening of the factory and conducted interviews with members of the company’s staff to be featured on the programme. ‘Caffeine Rush’ a local coffee cart franchise based in Clitheroe served drinks at the event using the newly manufactured paper cups.
The company was founded in 2005 by Mark Woodward, who started selling and distributing paper cups from his living room after being made redundant in his 50s following a long career in the packaging industry. Mark has gone on to oversee the success of the company, which has grown year on year despite the impact of the global recession.
In December 2011 the company moved into a brand new European sales office adjoining to the manufacturing unit. The company’s turnover has doubled over the past twelve months and two new members of staff have joined the team in the last six months alone. The Printed Cup Company has also featured on BBC One’s Inside Out programme and has been included in numerous other radio and magazine pieces.
“Our growth shows that customers are looking for a fast, reliable service, delivering a quality product in small quantities and the UK is the right place to base this manufacturing plant to serve Europe.”
Mark Woodward
The North West is currently suffering more than most regions with high unemployment rates. This exciting new business development will create new jobs within the company, mainly in the production units, and provides the region with a refreshing dose of positive news during the economic downturn. The opening of the facility also offers an encouraging sign for small British business as a whole at a time when few have been prepared to take risks in manufacturing.
“It is fantastic news that The Printed Cup Company has started manufacturing its own products within the United Kingdom and I will be presenting 1,000 cups with Union Jack prints to the Prime Minister for his Diamond Jubilee street party.”
Nigel Evans MP
Mark Woodward and Nigel Evans
The Printed Cup Company specialises in printing paper cups from low minimums of a thousand to large quantities in excess of a million cups. The new manufacturing unit in the United Kingdom will enable short lead times for its customers and ensure control through every stage of the cup manufacturing process. The opening of the new facility will also be beneficial for other local businesses which will be able to order smaller quantities of specialised prints.
