Window graphics firm is open to growth opportunity

Window graphics, film and signs business Lustalux is kick-starting an ambitious expansion plan after signing up to GrowthAccelerator.

Founded in 1991, the Preston-based company provides automotive window tinting services as well as high specification window treatments, including weatherable films and digitally printed media.

Lustalux, which turns over £750,000 and employs 10 staff, has been consolidating its market position after generating 10 per cent annual growth up to 2011, and is now ready to continue along its expansion path. 

GrowthAccelerator, a unique service led by some of the country’s leading growth specialists, helps companies to grow by working with them on key issues including business development, accessing finance, commercialising innovation, and leadership skills.

Lancashire businesses can access the government-backed GrowthAccelerator through Boost Business Lancashire – the county’s £7.2m business growth hub, which is aimed at businesses with high growth potential.

Richard Lancaster, managing director of Lustalux, worked closely with their Growth Manager Hayley Huddart, to develop a bespoke plan for the company, delivered by Growth Coach Alistaire Jama.

Richard commented: “Working with GrowthAccelerator has enabled us to vastly improve our processes, resulting in a more efficient service, with faster surveys, quotes, and presentations to potential customers.

“The GrowthAccelerator service has been excellent from the initial work we did with Hayley Huddart through to the coaching and help we received from Alistaire Jama. They are very professional people who have made our growth and success their main goal.”

Lustalux moved into its current premises on Preston Docks in 2003 when auto window tinting formed a large portion of its business. Although the car market is still a significant income stream, the firm has successfully diversified into high specification window treatments, such as externally applied films and digitally printed media.

Richard added: “In 2009 we seized an opportunity to move into the signage industry which naturally dovetailed with our cut and printed graphics services. This addition has increased our design and manufacture capabilities, opening up exciting possibilities for the future.” 

Boost Business Lancashire is being delivered through a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Community & Business Partners, LancasterUniversity, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Winning Pitch. £3.6m has been provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Boost Business Lancashire is being delivered through a partnership between Lancashire County Council, Community & Business Partners, LancasterUniversity, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Winning Pitch. £3.6m has been provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Boost offers a range of services, some 100% funded, some part-funded, including:

• Growth Mentoring by Community & Business Partners; providing high-growth mentoring support through successful business leaders who have already worked through similar challenges.
• Lancashire Forum; an exclusive leadership peer-to-peer networking and development programme run by LancasterUniversity.
• Lancashire LEAP; led by Winning Pitch and Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, providing advice to pre-start and early start (1-3 year-old) businesses.
• UCLan’s Innovation Clinic; aimed at supporting advanced manufacturing and engineering companies to develop new products and move into new markets.
• Growth Sectors Support; Specialist in-depth, independent, practical support to help businesses in the Creative and Digital, Environmental, Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Finance sectors to accelerate business growth.
• Growth Skills Assist; providing free training to equip leadership teams with the skills required to achieve their growth goals.
• GrowthAccelerator; delivered in Lancashire by Winning Pitch; the national programme of coaching and advice for high-growth businesses.
• Access to Finance; helping business owners to identify and access the right type of funding to deliver their growth aspirations.