Grants of £64,000 from the council has enabled a Coatbridge company to carry out extensive energy efficiency improvements to their premises.
Matic Media Services Ltd, trading as Graphic Warehouse, secured £49,000 from Business Growth and Net Zero Challenge Funds.
These have allowed structural work to reduce heat loss and improve heat retention, new doors to improve thermal efficiency, installation of efficient gas heating, instant hot water systems to eliminate stored water energy waste, and an electrical and data rewire.
Graphic Warehouse has also installed a solar PV rooftop system, which has dramatically reduced energy costs and CO₂ output, as well as improving the long-term environmental performance of the building.
Richard McCombe, Managing Director at Matic Media said: “North Lanarkshire Council’s Enterprise Team guided us through the grant process, ensuring the funding was best suited to our growth aspirations. The combined support of approximately £65,000 has enabled a transformational step for us to grow the business and our team while reducing our carbon output and improving operational efficiency.
“The project also demonstrates how targeted council funding can modernise legacy industrial space while supporting environmental, economic, and skills development objectives."
The large-format print and signage company has grown into a leading sustainable print manufacturer with a focus on automation, and net zero aspirations. The business offers apprenticeships that give young people real opportunities.
Manufacturing everything in-house, from posters to flags or a customised exhibition stand to full building wraps, ensures they are fully responsive to their clients’ needs.
As the business grew, the need for larger premises resulted in Graphic Warehouse relocation to a new manufacturing facility in Coatbridge with grant support from North Lanarkshire Council.
Councillor Alex McVey, Convener of our Enterprise and Fair Work Committee, recently visited the new premises to see how the funding has helped the business.
He said: “Local businesses are vital to the economy. This is a great example of how the council can help support businesses to grow, create more jobs, tackle environmental change and contribute significantly to our local economy.
“The council and Business Gateway have a breadth of support available to help local businesses to grow and to those looking to start a business in the area. I would urge businesses to get in touch to see how we can help.”
Graphic Warehouse’s new upgraded facility has also strengthened employment and skills development. The business is currently recruiting additional staff to support increased production capacity and national distribution, with three young people currently progressing through an apprenticeship programme, gaining hands-on experience in print manufacturing and production operations.
The company also hosted around 100 school pupils at the new facility to introduced young people to modern large-format print manufacturing and demonstrate real-world career pathways outside traditional academic routes.
This supports local skills awareness and contributes to strengthening the future manufacturing workforce within North Lanarkshire.
Our Business Start Up Fund can provide funding of up to £3,000 to businesses about to start or those that have been operating for less than 12 months.
The Business Growth Fund offers funding of up to £20,000 towards capital expenditure and/or infrastructure costs. Up to £5,000 funding is available for workforce or skills development and up to £4,000 is available towards the cost of attendance at trade shows or exhibitions.
The Growth Fund grant is open to businesses based in North Lanarkshire operating in these key sectors: advancing manufacturing, construction, creative industries, food and drink (manufacturing and processing), health and social care, life sciences, renewable energy, social enterprise, tourism, and transport and logistics.
To discuss your project and potential funding, please contact Business Gateway Lanarkshire on 01698 520775 or lanarkshire@bgateway.com