Business consultants help playing card maker stays ahead of the pack

A Devizes-based manufacturer that makes promotional playing cards for top retail brands is expanding into the luxury packaging market with help from the business growth consultancy Cool Ventures.

Simon Lucas Bridge Supplies, whose clients include the luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo, has secured a grant for new gift box-making machines and is winning new clients as a result.

The family-run firm, which sells a range of quality products for the bridge and poker game markets in different sized packages, secured the grant with help from business adviser Sue Marchant of Cool Ventures, which delivers the Swindon and Wiltshire SME Growth Programme.

The programme provides free one-to-one coaching for small and medium-sized businesses and access to workshops on key topics including business planning, finance, marketing and management.

The funding, secured through the Swindon and Wiltshire SME Growth programme which offered business grants of up to £10,000, has enabled Simon Lucas Bridge Supplies to purchase two new box-making machines. This will allow the firm to expand its box making capabilities and package different products for clients in other industries.

It has already won new contracts from a premium clothing brand that wants luxury gift boxes for its clothing range and from an international make-up artist with her own brand of jewellery.

Andrea Lucas, who runs the business with her husband Simon, said the advice they received from Cool Ventures had been crucial to securing the grant.

“Sue has a wealth of knowledge and recommended that we apply for a grant to help move our business forward,” she added. “Sue guided us through putting together a comprehensive and thorough proposal and cash flow forecast, and we were delighted to be awarded the grant.

“Buying the new machinery enables us to move into new markets, which is really exciting. Most of our new enquiries are for luxury packaging and clients are attracted to us because we no longer have a minimum order quantity, which is something the new machinery enables us to offer. It really does give us a competitive edge and speeds up the production process considerably.”

Sue said: “Whether you’re looking to attract investment to start a high-growth business or a grant to help you grow an established one, it’s vital that you present a convincing business case to potential funders.

“I’m delighted to have helped Simon and Andrea Lucas acquire the essential funding they need to take their business to the next level.”