Forward Finishing grows floorspace by a third as business expands

Fledgling finishing and assembly company Forward Finishing has invested in new equipment and is due to move to larger premises to cope with rapid growth since opening last year.

The business, which offers a range of hand finishing and POS display finishing and assembly services is due to relocate in the next few weeks, from its current 93sqm leased premises in Poole to new 149sqm rented premises in Bournemouth.

It has also recently invested in a second shrinkwrapping machine and purchased a new delivery van.

The venture has cost the company between £10,000 and £15,000, according to director Astrid Saunders, who said Forward Finishing had taken out a five-year lease on the new building.

She said: “We’re absolutely brimming with jobs which will hopefully fit far better into the new unit. When we started we had one client and now we have about 17; we’re picking up new people all the time.”

The firm’s investment was backed by Bournemouth Community Finance as part of a Bournemouth Borough Council initiative to support the local community.

“That’s the reason we’re moving into the Bournemouth borough as opposed to staying in Poole," Saunders added. "They will also be supporting us with networking, events and newspaper coverage in the local area.

“It’s a better location for customers as this is on a nice industrial estate with really good access behind a large out-of-town shopping centre so it will be far better for us. We’re looking forward to being able to invite people to come and see it as often as possible.”

The firm will hold a launch party next month once the move is completed. It will invite staff, customers and members of Bournemouth Borough Council.

Saunders established Forward Finishing, which also offers mailing and packaging services, alongside joint director Andrzej Stepien last August.

In February the business hired Nic Rousseau in a full-time client services and estimator role. Rousseau previously worked at Liberty Services in Croydon and SPS Group in Dorset. Saunders and Stepien had also previously worked at SPS Group; Saunders as finishing manager and Stepien as senior team leader.

The company also has two regular members of shopfloor staff and five outworkers and is aiming for a turnover of around £150,000 to £200,000 in its first year.

Alongside its two shrinkwrapping machines, Forward Finishing also operates two drills, a stitching head and a small guillotine while its hand finishing services include tagging, collation, folders, banding, padding, interleaving, taping and affixing PVC wallets and magnetic strips.

Its customers include trade printers and screen printers while it also completes pick and pack work for businesses in other industries.