Walsall printing firm gives i54 site stamp of approval
A stamp printing firm with its roots in Walsall's leather industry is moving to a hi-tech new factory on the i54 site, where Jaguar Land Rover's landmark £500 million engine plant is under construction.
International Security Printers – better known as ISP – will move from its home in Midland Road, Walsall, to its 70,000 sq ft new premises once building work is completed next year.
All its 80-strong workforce will be transfered to the new site, which ISP plans to expand by a further 30,000 sq ft to meet increased demand.
The company, which printed the Royal Wedding stamps for Prince William and Kate Middleton, can trace its roots back to the Walsall Lithographic Company, founded in 1894 to print catalogues for harness and saddlers businesses.
But, as its plans for the future grow, ISP has taken five acres on the i54, on the border of South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton, which is part of the Black Country Enterprise Zone.
As well as JLR's engine plant, the 220-acre site is already home to aerospace company Moog and the laboratory firm Eurofins.
ISP's core business is in printing self-adhesive stamps, with more than 60 per cent of its production destined for export markets, including Europe and Japan.
Managing director Paul White said: "This is a major investment and key strategic acquisition for the company.
"The new manufacturing premises on the prestigious i54 site, coupled with an ambitious programme of investment in state of the art printing technologies will provide us with a firm foundation from which to expand our business operations. The proximity of the site to key transportation networks will be invaluable in efficiently servicing our UK, European and global clients."
The company started printing stamps for the Pacific kingdom of Tonga in 1963, setting up Walsall Security Printers three years later. It was appointed a supplier to the British Post Office in 1987 and became ISP in 2004.
Work on building the new printing plant is due to start later this month, but the new stamp plant is already providing a boost to businesses across the Black Country.
It will be built by Halesowen-based A&H Construction and the designs have been drawn up by Wolverhampton architects Tweedale.
