Allpay plans state-of-the-art expansion (From Hereford Times)

Allpay plans state-of-the-art expansion

7:00am Tuesday 10th January 2012 in News

ONE of the county’s most successful companies is staking £5 million on its future in planning a state-of-the-art expansion to create at least 100 new jobs.

The recession-busting bid by Whitestone based Allpay is no gamble, on the back of a 15 per cent to 20 per cent growth in public and private sector business that is worth billions of pounds a year worldwide.

Allpay boss Tony Killeen this week challenged other county companies to put their money where their innovation is over a tough 2012.

“You draw a line to step over and see what’s on the other side, or stay where you are and take your chances,” said Tony.

The confidence Allpay has in its expansion reflects the company’s rapid rise to the top of its highly specialised field – prepayment networks and transaction card production.

Two of the biggest deals done in the county over recent years saw Allpay earn full accreditation as a designated production centre from MasterCard and Visa, making it a major player in massive global market.

Not much more than 10 years ago Allpay was in an office above a shop in Hereford city centre. Now it’s working on Whitestone 3 – a 45,000 sq ft new factory, part of which will be underground, complementing the two production and innovation hubs already on its present site.

Whitestone 3 will increase Allpay’s production capacity and enhance its options for secure data storage.

Core business accounts for much of Allpay’s 15 to 20 per cent growth and the company has secured a range of central government and public sector clients including the Ministry of Justice. An increasing number of banks, building societies, financial institutions, and credit unions boost the client base.

Two years ago Allpay added telecommunications to its offer, creating the county’s own wireless-based broadband network – using church towers as transmitters – and getting Ofcom recognition for its efforts.

If all goes to plan Allpay expects to start work on Whitestone 3 by June this year on a 12 to 15-week construction timetable.