Lancashire-based pyrotechnics, special effects and laser specialist BPM SFX has secured a £2 million funding package from Allica Bank to expand its headquarters and create new skilled jobs in the region to meet soaring global demand for large-scale live event supplier services.
Set up in 2008 by Adam Murray in the hills of East Lancashire, BPM SFX has grown from a three-person start-up into one of the world’s leading effects partners for international touring artists, major festivals and high-profile events. The company’s work appears on some of the world’s biggest stages – from F1 Silverstone and Creamfields to Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and supporting major touring acts including Oasis, Peter Kay, Calvin Harris, Chris Brown and The Prodigy.
“Audiences expect a level of immersion that simply didn’t exist a decade ago, and the big touring acts and large scale events these days all want to have that level of uniqueness and be the biggest and the best show experience,” said BPM SFX’s managing director Adam Murray.
“Our job is to take that creative ambition and turn it into something technically robust that can work night after night, anywhere in the world.”
BPM SFX’s success isn’t just down to the effects, though. “The main reason the biggest artists, promoters and live event providers work with us is that they know they can trust our expertise and that we will deliver the high end services required both properly and safely.”
The £2 million growth finance loan from digital business bank Allica Bank will fund a huge 14,000 sq ft expansion of BPM SFX’s headquarters in Burnley. The additional space will allow the business to store a larger proportion of its multi-million-pound stock on site, supporting more full-time employee roles, and further international growth.
“Our inventory is enormous. We hold millions of pounds’ worth of equipment so we can always deliver for our clients,” said co- owner and technical director Liam Haswell. “But at the moment, demand is outpacing our space. This investment allows us to expand right here in Lancashire, keep jobs in the local area, and continue supplying world-class effects to stages across the globe.”
Murray added: “Major artists want effects partners who can support them worldwide. This funding strengthens our capability to deliver anywhere: Europe, the US, the Middle East – you name it. Reliability is everything in this industry.”
The company recently completed a buyback of shares from a non-executive shareholder, paving the way for accelerated growth supported by Allica Bank.
Dave Rushton, business development manager, North West, at Allica Bank, explained why he backed the business: “Adam and Liam have built a world-class operation from Lancashire that’s now competing – and winning – on a global scale,” he said. “Their growth is built on technical expertise, immaculate safety standards and a huge commitment to the region. Allica is proud to support BPM SFX with the finance they need to expand their premises, hire more people locally, and take on even bigger international projects.”
