West Midlands-based business, Customark, one of the UK’s most diverse printing and industrial labelling manufacturers, is on a hugely successful streak of strategic acquisitions - and has no plans to stop - bolstered by recent funding for expansion from Allica Bank.
Headquartered in Stourbridge, the business - founded in 1968 - also has sites in Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Wiltshire and Leicestershire. Having primarily grown organically in the past 56 years, Customark is now on a rapid acquisition spree, focussed on actively acquiring businesses to scale up operations.
In the past year alone, Customark has brought several companies under its umbrella, including Charnwood Label Craft, Kingsbury Screens, Industrial Screen Print, and most recently, Goldcrest (Adhesive) Products Ltd. The £2 million loan from Allica Bank – a challenger bank for established businesses – has set Customark up to make its next acquisition, as it continues on its growth journey.
Customark’s most recent acquisition of Goldcrest in November 2024 added £1.4 million in turnover, pushing its revenues to around £12 million. Managing Director Greg Lerigo explained the move: "Goldcrest operates in market sectors that align perfectly with Customark.
“It was a natural and exciting fit for us, and we’re thrilled to welcome their wonderfully talented team into our growing business. We’re now looking ahead to what possible acquisitions could come next.
“And we’re incredibly grateful for the support of Allica Bank who have given us the funding to act quickly when the right opportunity arises.” Customark’s focus on growth has been as much about expanding its footprint as it has about bringing in further expertise.
In all its acquisitions, the business has prioritised retaining the skills and experience of staff from the businesses it acquires, also meaning their loyal customers don’t experience any disruption to the service they’ve come to rely on. Customark’s Relationship Manager at Allica Bank, Eugene Vichare, has been working closely with the business since last year.
Talking about the funding, he said: “Greg and the team have a clear vision for where they want to take the business, and 2025 is set to be a huge year for them.
“We’re delighted to back them with this funding, helping them expand their offerings even further. Customark is a great example of an ambitious Midlands manufacturing business making smart, sustainable moves to grow.
“This is having a clear, positive impact across the country and we’re excited to see what they do next in the world of printing.” Allica is a bank built especially for established businesses with between 5 and 250 employees.
These businesses make up a third of UK employment and turnover, yet they’re overlooked by the big banks with a service that is increasingly impersonal, inconvenient, and poor value. Allica Bank is on a mission to give established businesses the banking they deserve.
That means a current account that rewards business owners for using it, a relationship manager whose name and number they actually know, and powerful tools and technology that make their life easier, not harder.
