A Newton Aycliffe design and print agency is celebrating after winning a hat-trick of football contracts worth £400,000.
HPM Group, based on Aycliffe Business Park, has won a renewed deal to print the matchday programmes for North East Premier League clubs Sunderland and Liverpool.
The firm, which employs 50 people, is also designing and printing the matchday publication for Championship club Middlesbrough.
Managing director Richard Mortimer says HPM continue to build on its foundations and history of printing while also overseeing major developments in the digital and online divisions of the company.
He said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve renewed our contracts with Sunderland and Middlesbrough, two football clubs we’ve had a long association with.
“Football is an important part of life in this area and football programmes are still a vital part of the matchday experience for supporters going to games, which is why we’re passionate about design as well as print.”
HPM Group has invested heavily in the last year. The company splashed out £500,000 on a new Perfect Binding machine last summer and has also recently spent £50,000 on new iMacs, servers and state-of-the-art digital printers.
The media group has also noted an increase in business year-on-year with a notable amount of work coming from the local area.
HPM Group has built up a strong client list which includes regional and national names including the Royal College of General Practitioners, Durham and Huddersfield universities, PWS and the NHS.
But Mr Mortimer added: “We have noticed an increase in business from a diverse range of companies and organisations based on Aycliffe Business Park (ABP).
“There has been a lot of effort to bring the business community together on the park with the monthly networking meetings organised by the ABP steering group, and Aycliffe Today Business has greatly helped share news and information.
“There are definitely signs that a number of businesses are working together and collaborating on projects and we are pleased to be an active business on the park.”
HPM Group relocated to the area in 2000 and has constantly invested in its people and equipment and a particular area of interest is the company’s commitment to apprenticeship schemes with the business having a number of apprentices on board who are developing a range of skills in printing services.
The firm, which has an annual turnover of £5million, has also brought Sally Pearson on board in a senior management role to work with smaller businesses wishing to develop their marketing strategy and brand identity.
HPM Group’s latest investment in software and hardware was made to meet demand for digital work on websites and apps, creative work and high-end printing services.
The company works with brands and organisations on developing marketing strategies, PR, social media and digital solutions such as websites, apps and e-marketing, exhibition stands and full print services.
More details at www.hpm.uk.com