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Award-winning print specialist AlphaGraphics has received a loan through NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

Stockton-on-Tees-based based AGNE Ltd, trading as AlphaGraphics, is a cross media marketing specialist business with three locations across the North of England. Founded as a traditional printing business in 1993, it currently employs 69 staff and two directors, with a turnover of more than £7.5m.

Clients include NHS England, Durham University, The Premier League and Arriva Group. AlphaGraphics successfully pivoted during the Covid-19 pandemic to launch a new service offering tailored social distancing signs for commercial and corporate clients.

Now the company is expanding further following the acquisition of one of its key clients, Class Fundraising Ltd, a company which raises funds for schools by providing products personalised with the children’s own designs. The NPIF investment will provide additional working capital to allow for growth following the completion of the purchase of Class Fundraising and has safeguarded six jobs and led to the creation of a further two roles.

The deal was facilitated by FW Capital Investment Executive Andy Castle, following an introduction by Graham Cornforth, of Azets.

FW Capital Investment Executive Andy Castle said:

“We are extremely excited to work with AlphaGraphics, an important employer in the Teesside area with many years of experience and ambitious plans for the future. Our investment will support AlphaGraphics following its expansion and assist them by providing the capital needed to facilitate its growth strategy and support job creation.”

Andrew Dalton, AlphaGraphics Managing Director, said:

“Working alongside NPIF and FW Capital, this investment will allow us to successfully implement our growth strategy and realise our ambitions. We are now well-placed to move the business forward and take advantage of the fantastic opportunities presented to us by our recent expansion.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

“In both its response to the coronavirus and its latest acquisition, AlphaGraphics has a strong track record in adapting and innovating to grow and create jobs. Thanks to this investment, they can go further, faster and are the latest example of how our money is being invested to help drive the region forward.”

Graham Cornforth, Corporate Finance Partner at Azets, said:

“Azets works with businesses to unlock the finance they need to fulfil their future growth strategies and it’s been a pleasure to work with FW Capital to help AlphaGraphics secure the capital needed.”

FW Capital provides loans of £100,000 to £750,000 to businesses based in the NPIF region with a focus on the North West, Cumbria and Tees Valley.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

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