A Cambridgeshire-based supplier of picture framing materials has invested £8million into a new purpose-built warehouse and HQ. 

Centrado sells frame mouldings, glass and picture backings wholesale, and is the largest business of its kind in the UK.  

Lloyds Bank backed the business with a £4million loan, delivered through its clean growth financing initiative, which offers discounted lending on sustainable investments, to construct the premises. 

The new 100,000 sq ft facility in Fenstanton, near Huntingdon has allowed the business to increase its capacity five-fold, consolidate operations and boost efficiency to support its growth.  

The business, which was founded in 2012, supplies high street framers, art galleries and contract framers.  

Its customers include framers who work for Homesense and TK Maxx, as well as top galleries such as Halcyon Gallery and The V&A. 

Prior to the move into the new facility, Centrado rented four separate facilities in Cambridgeshire as it grew and required more warehouse space to support orders from customers.  

By bringing everything under one roof, the team is able to pick, pack and dispatch orders to customers more efficiently and can manage its satellite depots more effectively. 

Centrado’s new HQ has been built to BREEAM Good standard, including motion-sensor LED lighting and smart air con systems to ensure energy use is optimised, and also has electric vehicle charging points for staff. 

Finance director at Centrado, James Middleton, said: “We’ve worked hard over the last 10 years to build our business, expanding our range of products and services.  

“This meant adding on new units and locations around Huntingdon, but we knew we could be more efficient if we wanted to grow further. 

“The new facility is testament to our last ten years of growth, but also our ambition to growth further still.”