Coventry business set for growth after support package

A Midlands-based packaging company is set to more than double its turnover after unboxing its own package of business support.

Purple Planet Packaging, which is based on Seven Stars Industrial Estate in Coventry, is on track to generate £2 million worth of turnover in the 12 months to July 2023, after generating around £1.3 million of sales for the same period last year.

The company supplies sustainable food and drinks packaging, from hot and cold drink cups to takeaway cartons, to a range of sectors including schools, the hospitality trade and directly to consumers.

Despite having no previous entrepreneurial experience, husband and wife Mark and Joanna Farr bought the business six months before the Covid pandemic struck in 2020, when the company was generating around £120,000 worth of turnover.

The investment was initially intended as a side business for Mark’s day job as a paramedic and Joanna, whose background is in the third sector, but as demand for their items soared during the pandemic due to more people ordering takeaways during lockdown, they soon realised they had a full-time business on their hands.

It was at this point that the company was supported by the start-up team at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, where they were able to access the Chamber’s Accelerated Growth programme.

This project forms part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The programme saw Mark and Joanna learn the basics of business planning – including a bespoke session on managing cashflow, as well as receiving advice on their website and setting realistic KPIs to chart their progress.

The Chamber also assisted with Purple Planet Packaging’s successful application for a £46,000 investment grant from Coventry City Council, which has helped to fund business critical equipment including desktop PCs, through to warehouse racking and electric vehicles.

Mark said: “Accessing support from the Chamber provided us with all of the basic knowledge of how to run a business so that we were ready to quickly capitalise on the rising demand that had initially taken us by surprise.

“Ensuring we had enough stock and finance available were crucial in the early stages, and being given tips on how to sensibly forecast for the months ahead along with having access to grants has really given us a launchpad for long-term growth.

“One of the legacies from the support we have had from the Chamber, and funding from Coventry City Council, is our growth plans for the future – we have recently recruited a business development manager to go out and attract more clients across the education, tourism and hospitality sectors, and we are aiming to grow our head count from eight staff to 12 by early next year.

“If there are any start-ups or SMEs looking to grow, I’d recommend reaching out to the Chamber for professional advice, as I have seen first-hand the knowledge and contacts that they have to help businesses fulfil their potential.”

Helena Bassett, business advisor at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has been supporting Purple Planet Packaging throughout its growth journey – which is now seeing the company facilitate around 500 orders a week.

Helena added: “Mark and Joanna have grown the business’s turnover from £120,000 to more than £1 million in under two years – all while having two young children – which makes this achievement even more incredible.

“They are a shining example to other start-up entrepreneurs of what can be achieved with a mixture of determination, and a willingness to learn and access the professional support that is out there.”

Giuliana Famiglietti Pipola, Business Development Manager Coventry City Council, said: “We are delighted that the Chamber could support this company – the support was just at the right time and really enabled the company to thrive, secure its economic future and take on more staff.”

For more information about business support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support