Display and exhibition stand business Display Wizard has quadrupled turnover and headcount, with the help of a loan and support from Lancashire County Council’s Rosebud Micro fund.

The Garstang-based business expects revenues to reach £2.75m this year, compared to £682,000 eight years ago, while its workforce has expanded from six employees to 25 staff in the same period.

In addition, Display Wizard has grown from two industrial units to six, with plans to open a seventh unit for storage and production, along with a seventh high-definition printer. This further expansion will take place before the end of 2018, creating an extra two jobs. 

The business, whose customers include BBC, Trustpilot, Bank of England and Mercedes, is also developing its current premises by adding another mezzanine floor for office staff.

Founded in 2004 by Diarmuid Beary and Sally Hiscutt. The business has grown steadily to become a leading player in the display and exhibition industry. 

Diarmuid said: “Rosebud helped us to raise growth finance when the bank funding was scarce and difficult to get. We’d highly recommend Rosebud and would definitely use Rosebud again if we were looking for growth finance.

“The support from Lancashire County Council and Boost hasn’t just been financial – we’ve had help with training our existing and new staff, plus assistance with registering the Display Wizard trademark. The county council has been a constant source of support and inspiration as we’ve worked to grow the business.”  

County Councillor Michael Green, Cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: "Display Wizard are a shining example of how support from Rosebud Micro makes a difference to companies. 

“We supported them back in 2010, and they've grown significantly since then, gaining some impressive clients. And thanks to support from Boost they're continuing to grow and develop.

"Funding can be tough for smaller businesses, especially from traditional lenders, but Rosebud Micro can be part of your funding package. We can also help you to unlock other support to bring your growth plans to life.

"Rosebud Micro is part of Boost, Lancashire's business growth hub, which offers many different ways to help companies to find the support for their growth and ambitions that works for them. Boost should be part of your Growth Conversation.

Rosebud is delivered in association with Boost; Lancashire's Business Growth Hub. Led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council, Boost is supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

Diarmuid and Sally heard about Rosebud after Sue Roberts from Lancashire County Council's economic development team contacted them. She outlined the support available when the business was looking to invest in a high-definition printer and the addition of a mezzanine floor for its office. 

This was back in 2010, during the recession, when obtaining bank funding was very difficult, leading Diarmuid and Sally to consider other options.

Diarmuid added: “Our dream when we founded the company was to offer personalised, high-quality display solutions that would help other businesses to promote themselves more effectively. We were one of the first companies in our sector to embrace e-commerce and can now pride ourselves on being at the forefront of developments in the industry.”

The business also offers the ‘Vision’ exhibition system – offering businesses the opportunity to design a bespoke stand for hire. Built using a 100 per cent recyclable, modular aluminium frame, this environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wooden stands saves on waste and cost. The system now makes up 30 per cent of Design Wizard’s orders. 

Boost Business Lancashire has received £3.8m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information, visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.