NorthWolds Printers has merged with Wood Richardson, creating Northwolds Richardson Group, combining litho and digital print.
Wood Richardson will move out of its site in York and join NorthWolds in Pocklington, making up a business with 25 staff and sales of £2.5 million.
NorthWorlds managing director Gurdev Singh says: “Wood Richardson and NorthWolds are to join forces to create a strong vibrant business that will target future growth based on our shared values of service, quality and craft. At the heart of our plans will be our single larger combined team of highly experienced and passionate people who will be based at our site in Pocklington.”
Singh became managing director and shareholder of NorthWolds in 2014, following managerial positions at Howitt and Communisis. He has also held a number of consultancy roles across the industry.
The merger was prompted by lockdowns and the need to become more resilient. And also, Singh believes, by a new interest in print.
He says: “I think with Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and inflation I don’t want to make any predictions for the future, but I believe a company that does high quality printed items does have a future. The number of email campaigns that just go into your spam or get binned – they are cheap, but they don’t have high rates of return.”
NorthWolds runs a five-colour plus coater Komori Lithrone S29. Wood Richardson runs a six-colour Heidelberg with Xeikon and Xerox on the digital side of the business.
A transition at Wood Richardson was also inevitable following the recent death of Judy Richardson. The business has been in the hands of the Richardson family for more than a century. Managing director James Richardson took over from his father John in 2015. He explains: “This is something we have been planning for some time. I left the business last April and it had, until recently, been looked after by my mum, Judy.
“Sadly, my mum died aged 75 earlier this year and my dad, who is 73, got early onset dementia when he was 62 and has been in a care home for about six years.
“I’m glad that the deal ensures security for our staff, but I’m upset that my mum isn’t here to see it really and my dad’s not in a position to appreciate it.”
