Xamax to have sports market sewn up with BGP funding agreement

26/11/13

Xamax, the Wakefield based branded clothing specialist, has secured a grant for almost £20,000 from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s Business Growth Programme (BGP) (which is funded by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund) that will allow the business to double capacity in its sportswear division.

Focusing specifically on the manufacture of Rugby League Football kits, the grant will cover 20 per cent of the total cost of the investment into a flatbed laser cutting system, Roland XF-640 printer, Monti Calendar Press and a new mezzanine floor, allowing the company to expand the manufacturing space within the business as necessary.

In addition two new jobs have been created as a direct result of the fund, which will see this part of the business double capacity with a projected increase in sales from £250,000 in 2012 to £700,000 per year by 2015.

Managing Director of Xamax, Graham Thompson, said: “We would like to thank the Business Growth Programme and most importantly our local business advisors from Wakefield Council, who have made this application possible and have supported us throughout the process. Without support from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership we couldn’t proceed with this investment in the business, which would subsequently hamper our growth potential.

He adds: “These funds are available for businesses like Xamax who have ambitious strategies for growth. We would certainly urge likeminded SME’s to come forward and consider the options that are available to them.”

Councillor Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council and LEP Board Member, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support this successful grant application by working with this company through our Business Support Programme and look forward to continuing to work with them to assist with their on-going development.

“The Council’s programme provides experienced Business Advisors to support companies considering applying for funding, this includes the Leeds City Region Business Growth Programme which to date has offered grants of over £1m to expanding businesses in the Wakefield district. These projects will attract private sector investment and will create over 130 new jobs – great news for Wakefield.”

Currently supplying more than 200 separate Rugby League Football Clubs in the UK, with orders increasing by the day, the business recognised the need to invest in its capabilities and capacity to make the process more efficient, while positioning the company as the UK’s leading supplier to amateur rugby league teams of all sizes.

Without the investment the business would not be in the position to increase capacity or production speeds, as current equipment is incompatible with fabric widths and existing systems are leading to substantial waste of fabric and paper.

Producing more than 1 million garments a year, Xamax recently invested more than £500,000 into the refurbishment of its factory facilities and offices, as well as the design and build of a customer facing retail outlet of over 3000 sq ft in Wakefield.

Employing 45 staff the company anticipates that it will increase overall turnover by 20 per cent in the next 12 months and intends to continue to invest in order to maintain its growth strategy and hit overall sales of six million by 2016.

Graham Thompson concludes: “None of this would be possible were it not for the commitment of our wonderful staff, I can not thank them enough. For the quality of employees, Wakefield is certainly the place to do business.”

Selling everything from branded beautician’s tunics to high visibility jackets and boots, Xamax has a range and style to suit all sectors. For more information please visit www.xamax.co.uk or call in to the showroom at Roundwood Industrial Estate in Wakefield.

For media enquiries please contact: Lindsey Davies or Naomi Stafford
Open Communications
01924 862477
Lindsey.davies@opencomms.co.uk