Pressroom chemicals specialist Graphichem is expanding into new premises on the back of strong trading.

The business was set up five years ago, and annual sales have grown to £4m since. 

As well as manufacturing a range of pressroom chemicals the business also supplies spray powders, wash cloths, and inks for heatset web and sheetfed printing. 

Its product range also includes hand sanitiser hygiene products that were developed during the pandemic. 

Graphichem acquired Edward Marsden in 2019 and took over sales for Druck Chemie’s UK business last year.

Graphichem’s eight staff currently operate from 836sqm premises in Middlewich, with the business gearing up to move to a brand new purpose-built 1,210sqm facility in nearby Winsford early next year. 

Managing director Scott McGauley said the new site would give the business scope for further expansion.

“We have grown organically and to achieve £4m of sales in five years is fantastic, with healthy EBITDA and cash in the bank. In the new building we will have the capacity to be a £6m-£7m turnover business,” he said. 

Importantly, the new site also has a completely segregated 1,210sqm yard outside the unit. 

“That’s one of the reasons for moving, our current building is too small for us now, and with the increased outdoor storage we will be able to have five or six bulk tanks,” McGauley explained.

“Six tanks will give us 400,000 litres of chemicals, which is really important for us.”

McGauley said the new facility would also help the business expand its waste collection service, and it is planning to add additional waste licensing accreditation to achieve that. 

“It’s a big step for us but I’m confident about the move and the potential to expand,” McGauley added.

As well as the six-figure investment in the new site and relocation, Graphichem has also invested £130,000 in a new Mercedes truck, taking its fleet to three.

The business is also recruiting a new sales person to cover the south of the country. 

It currently services around 200 customers across print packaging, hygiene, industrial, retail and healthcare.

The move to the new site will be phased during Q1 2023, with the Middlewich building set to be completely vacated by July.