The Four Ashes, Wolverhampton-based print business has changed premises and moved into vehicle wrapping and signage, with the help of a Bounce Back Loan as well as a £5,000 Thrive grant through the Staffordshire Means back to Business partnership scheme, for helping small businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic restrictions.

The Print Box was set up in 2015 by managing director Sean Pearce, as a print management outfit from his home office, also offering embroidering services for workwear. But being severely impacted by the Covid lockdowns, the four-staff business has now pivoted and launched a vehicle wrapping and signage service, using the local funding support to invest in new kit including an Epson SureColor SC-S40600, a Vivid Easymount S1400 hot sign laminator and a Summa D140 cutter. The team has also moved out of the small commercial facility it had expanded into in 2018 and into a new, larger 100sqm premises to accommodate the new large-format venture.

“Our work dried up overnight when the lockdown hit and we knew that we needed to diversify if we were going to survive,” said The Print Box managing director Sean Pearce.

“Thanks to a grant from South Staffordshire Council at the start to cover the bills, and then a Bounce Back Loan to move to bigger premises as well as purchasing new machinery and finally the £5,000 To Thrive to make it fit for what we needed, we’re now doing well. The grant has even helped us to take on another family member as part of the team to help administer the business,” he added.

Pearce said that the new offering has enabled the business to grow and expand its client list.

“I have absolutely no doubt that we wouldn’t have survived the pandemic without this support, which for a small business is massive. Our business is growing every month.”