Stamp printing firm's new i54 base signals first-class future, say bosses

Around 80 people working at the International Security Printers (ISP) factory in Walsall will now be transferring to the new 70,000 sq ft facility.

The new building is a result of Black Country co-operation, with the Walsall stamp printing firm working with Wolverhampton architects Tweedale and Halesowen builders A&H Construction on the project. ISP, which operates as Walsall Security Printers from its current home in Midland Road, unveiled its plans to move to a purpose-built new base last year. Sitting on a five-acre site, the new building incorporates a high-security, climate-controlled printworks alongside testing and quality control facilities. Following the completion of building work, ISP has started pre-production testing using a new £2 million 'gravure' press – the stamp printing method specified by the Royal Mail since 1997.

The company says it aims to have the new plant up and running by September.

As well as the new building, the five-acre site has space to expand later by further 30,000 sq ft to meet increased demand. The building's administration offices also include reception facilities for global dignitaries.

The company started printing stamps for the Pacific kingdom of Tonga in 1963, setting up Walsall Security Printers three years later. It was appointed a supplier to the British Post Office in 1987 and became ISP in 2004. It has produced postage stamps for 180 different countries and is considered to be one of the worlds leading authorities in the field.

ISP's core business is in printing self-adhesive stamps, with more than 60 per cent of its production destined for export markets, including Europe and Japan.

Tweedale said the new building would provide an 'iconic' headquarters for the company's operations. Tweedale director Michael Bates said "We were delighted to be appointed by ISP to design such an iconic building for them, They have an enviable client list and we are proud to be associated with their brand new facility."

The new factory sits alongside Jaguar Land Rover's landmark £500 million engine plant, the Moog aerospace facility and the UK headquarters of Eurofins.

ISP, which printed the Royal Wedding stamps for Prince William and Kate Middleton, can trace its roots back to the Walsall Lithographic Company, founded in 1894 to print catalogues for harness and saddlers businesses. Managing director Paul White said: "This is a major investment and key strategic acquisition for the company.

"The new manufacturing premises on the prestigious i54 site, coupled with an ambitious programme of investment in state of the art printing technologies will provide us with a firm foundation from which to expand our business operations. The proximity of the site to key transportation networks will be invaluable in efficiently servicing our UK, European and global clients."