Pictured above: Andy Williams, Director of AndesignUK and Richard Clift, Grants Case Officer from Advantage West Midlands.

A Sutton Coldfield-based graphics firm specialising in large format digital printing has defied the recession and improved competitiveness by becoming the UK's first company to install a state-of-the-art printer that will increase productivity six-fold.

Andesign UK Ltd, a graphics and visual communications specialist based on Coleshill Road in Sutton Coldfield, has invested £500,000 in the latest cutting edge EFI-VUTEk printer and will soon expand its premises for a second time.

The investment in new equipment and facilities has been made possible following the award of a £99,000 Grant for Business Investment by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.

Not only will the new equipment enable a far quicker turnaround on all printing, it will enable the company to offer clients lower prices and also the opportunity to win contracts from outside the Region.

Andy Williams, Director of AndesignUK, said: "The investment from Advantage West Midlands has helped to fast track our expansion strategy and we're delighted to be the first in the country to be working with this particular printer. The quality of our output will now become almost photorealistic, and that combined with increased productivity will enable us to deliver a competitive edge to the market.

"We are confident that this investment will pave the way to win some lucrative national contracts and draw attention to a regional company with a difference".

Richard Clift, Grants Case Officer at Advantage West Midlands, said: "AndesignUK should be applauded for its commitment to growth and its investment, particularly during the recession.

"The Grant for Business Investment was essential in bringing the project to fruition and it is fantastic that it is being used to help expand one of the Region's value added, specialist small firms.

"From a West Midlands perspective, it is also good to see a company using higher technology to improve productivity and to see the region's entrepreneurial spirit helping a business succeed."