The firm opened the UK facility on 1 October, the same day the UK operation’s managing director Andy Reeves officially joined from security technology specialist Matica.

“We’ve worked with Andy for many years and he has a superb understanding of the industry, as well as a rich list of contacts and plenty of experience, which made him the ideal candidate to spearhead this expansion,” said group CEO Norman Kammerling.

The UK operation, which is based near York, will initially focus on supplying cards manufactured at the firm’s German headquarters and also supplying and supporting card printing kit and consumables.

The office and distribution centre currently employs two staff, but the plan is to increase headcount to around 10 over the next 12 months.

However, longer term the business might look at adding it a card manufacturing capability to the site.

Reeves said that the firm had moved to set up a UK operation partly due to the Covid crisis, which had accelerated the migration to cashless payments in sectors including catering.

“Cards-x has an unrivalled track record in the market and there is a clear gap in the UK for a company that can quickly and efficiently provide a vast range of products, as well as an expert accreditation service,” he said.

As well as cashless payments, he said that there was increasing demand for digital identification passes that can be presented on smart phones.

“And these are both markets that Cards-x is already at the forefront of,” said Reeves.

“We’re also confident that as workplaces and venues begin to reopen, demand will increase again for cards in special formats and materials, such as VIP cards for events and traditional ID cards.”