Member Article

Lancashire textile firm creating new jobs with Euro funding

A Lancashire textile company is to create 14 new jobs by investing in new technology thanks to £46,456 in European and government funding.

Panaz, in Fence, near Burnley, is a global manufacturer and distributor of flame-retardant fabrics, used for upholstery within the hospitality, healthcare and education industries.

Management at the firm approached economic development company Regenerate Pennine Lancashire for help source-funding updated design and print equipment and upgrading the IT systems.

Regenerate were able to draw partial finance from both the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund.

Tony Attard, chief executive of Panaz, said: “Our plan is to become more competitive by investing in the latest technology, which will help us reach new markets at home and abroad.

“The local backing from Regenerate is great and helping us push the project forward.”

Innovative changes included linking new software to hand-held technology via cloud servers, which will enable staff to work while out of the office to increase efficiency and provide improved customer service.

The company will also acquire software and technology required to carry out fabric printing in- house, to save time and costs spent on outsourcing the task.

Coun Paul White, who is responsible for economic development, enterprise and growth in Pendle, said: “The growth plans will help Panaz take on more orders and staff, acting as a catalyst for further expansion within Pennine Lancashire.

“We’d encourage local businesses that want to grow to follow suit and look up what funding and support is available to help them through Regenerate.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .