Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where he catches up with David Bunker from Compass Business Finance. David has been a familiar face at trade shows for many years, and he shares his thoughts on the lively first day of the show. He explains that Compass is celebrating 20 years in business, having grown from small beginnings into a company that both lends its own money and works with around 25 different lenders to provide flexible financing options for print companies, PSPs, and converters. David highlights that, unlike going directly to a single bank, Compass can match each customer’s needs with the right lender, offering multiple options and solutions tailored to different types of investments. He stresses that it’s not only about securing the best rate but about finding the best commercial option that aligns with a customer’s long-term plans. When discussing how printers typically engage with Compass, David explains that smaller equipment purchases often come through supplier referrals or straightforward finance requests. At the same time, larger, million-pound-plus investments usually involve earlier discussions and long-term planning. Trade shows like The Print Show provide an ideal setting for those conversations to begin. He also discusses how asset depreciation impacts financing options, noting that traditional presses, such as a ten-colour Heidelberg B1, have different financial considerations compared to high-depreciation inkjet devices. To address this, Compass collaborates with initiatives such as the UK Growth Guarantee Scheme, a continuation of government-backed schemes designed to support lending, thereby giving businesses more confidence in financing equipment even during uncertain times. David emphasizes that while the print industry has faced challenges from COVID, rising costs, and market uncertainty, there is still strong momentum for investment and growth. Compass is focused on helping businesses access the right financial products to make those investments possible. A clear and practical conversation about financing in the print industry, recorded live at The Print Show in Birmingham.