350,000 kit investment for new finishing startup

A new finishing company has been created in Coventry, following the closure of a trade finisher earlier this year.

BJT went into liquidation earlier this year, leading to an internet auction of its equipment.

Former BJT employees Barry Lobbett and Jon Sherward then teamed up with another local finishing veteran Wayne Reading to form BJW Binders (the three directors' names) and they purchased the kit to launch the new company.

As well as Stahl TF 78, Ti36, Ti52 buckle folders and a Stitchmaster ST100 six-station saddle-stitcher bought from the auction. BJW purchased a new KH78 folder from Heidelberg for its new facility in Exhall. The investment in the new company is around £350,000.

BJW has managed to hold on to the vast majority of BJT's customers but has now started to look further afield for work.

Reading said: "We are an overspill finisher and we deal predominantly with printers in the local area. But the new site is nearer to Leicester and we have started to look in that direction for work now.

"We are just looking to settle the company down and start getting busier at the moment."

Currently the company employs eight staff, including the three directors, and four of BJT's staff have come across to the new business.

The company can also call upon the services of "Barry's girls": six ladies that boast 100 years of hand finishing experience between them and can be drafted in as needed.

BJW is aiming for a £200,000 turnover in its first year.