Case Study: Yellow Label Design - Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

Yellow Label Designs Ltd is expanding following a significant investment from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Global sector leader, Yellow Label Designs Ltd is a contemporary design studio that specialises in providing modern and original designs for the UK and international soft furnishing textile industries including wallpaper, bedding, curtains, upholstery and weaves.

Based in the Lodge house, adjacent to a Grade II listed converted textile mill in Bollington, Cheshire and launched in 2000 by Managing Directors, Duncan Hancock and Chris Whelan, the company group employs 20 people and now incorporates Pure Studio Design and more recently, Novelty House.

The NPIF investment will help drive an ongoing programme of growth and development, and provide resources to recruit new team members.  Financial support from FW Capital will also help steer the development of the group’s most junior brand, Novelty House, which specialises in children’s decoration and unique wall art.

Duncan Hancock, Managing Director at Yellow Label Design commented: “During our 18 years in business we have grown steadily and organically in terms of client base, geographical spread and as an employer. We now operate across the world with around 70% of our business led by exports and count major high street brands in dozens of countries as long standing clients.

“In order to sustain this level of growth and reach, it’s important that our cashflow remains fluid and we are able to streamline our financial obligations. This funding from FW Capital effectively allows us to achieve this and gives us a solid financial infrastructure from which we can continue to develop our business with confidence.

“FW Capital has been incredibly supportive throughout the funding process and has taken a keen interest in our business, committing their time to understand our position and ultimately help us meet our wider objectives and aspirations.”

Simon Berry, Senior Investment Executive at FW Capital said: “The management team has grown the business to become a leading supplier of creative and quality designs to the textile industry.

“By exporting products worldwide the company has expanded significantly and our funding will help this to continue.

“We are really pleased to be supporting a small North West-based business which through hard work and continual innovation has gone global.”

Sue Barnard, Senior Manager at British Business Bank, said: “This investment exemplifies the work that NPIF is doing across the North of England. By supporting businesses with the funds to recruit new staff and move premises, we are creating a more prosperous regional economy for the future, and in turn helping to reduce the historic regional disparities between the North and the South.”

Christine Gaskell CBE, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said:  “The LEP’s investment in to NPIF is part of our commitment to facilitating sustainable business growth through innovation and job creation, so we are delighted that the fund is helping to secure international success for Yellow Label Designs, as they continue on their expansion journey.”

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.