Based in Workington, Firpress Ltd is a design, print and signage company serving businesses, schools, councils and organisations across West Cumbria and the wider UK.
Established in 1985, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality print, graphic design, signage and promotional materials, with the majority of production completed in-house. Over its 40-year history, Firpress has become known for its reliable turnaround times, customer-focused approach and ability to support both local organisations and larger sector clients.
As customer expectations evolved, Firpress faced increasing demand for shorter print runs, faster turnaround times and more flexible production solutions.
Traditional print processes were becoming less efficient for certain types of work, while growing workloads were placing additional pressure on existing lithographic equipment. This created capacity constraints, production bottlenecks and the risk of missed opportunities in an increasingly competitive market.
Without investment, the business faced ongoing challenges around efficiency, productivity and its ability to respond quickly to customer demand.
To address these challenges, Firpress secured a £4,000 grant through Cumbria Business Growth Hub, which contributed towards the purchase of a Riso GD7330 high-speed commercial inkjet printer.
The new equipment complements the company's existing production capabilities, allowing jobs to be produced alongside current presses while introducing greater flexibility into the workflow.
The investment has enabled Firpress to modernise its print offering, improve production efficiency and expand the range of services available to customers, including full-colour NCR printing, full-colour raffle tickets and short-run offset-style work delivered with faster turnaround times.
The investment is already delivering tangible benefits across the business.
Production bottlenecks have been reduced, workflow flexibility has improved and pressure on existing lithographic equipment has eased. Faster make-ready times and increased capacity mean the business can respond more effectively to customer requirements while maintaining high standards of quality and service.
The new technology has also strengthened the company's resilience, helping to safeguard existing jobs and support long-term business sustainability.
Importantly, the expanded capabilities are creating opportunities to win new business and enter new markets, positioning Firpress for continued growth.
Looking ahead, the company plans to continue investing in new technology, including upgrades to its large-format printing equipment and the implementation of a new Management Information System (MIS) to further improve efficiency and streamline operations.
By combining strategic investment with over four decades of industry experience, Firpress is well placed to continue supporting customers across Cumbria and beyond for many years to come.
A spokesperson from Firpress said:
"This investment has enabled us to modernise our print offering and strengthen our production capabilities. The new printer has improved flexibility across our workflows, reduced bottlenecks and allowed us to respond more quickly to customer demand, while also expanding the range of products and services we can offer. The grant has helped us make a strategic investment that supports the long-term growth of the business, safeguards local jobs and ensures we remain competitive in a changing print market. We're now looking ahead to further modernising our equipment, expanding our signage and large-format services, and continuing to improve efficiency across the business."
This support was made possible through funding from Cumberland Council via the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
