Two independent print businesses have formed an alliance in a move which is likely to be the forerunner of a number of similar partnerships.
Hobbs the Printers is linking up with TJ Books in a move which begins with a strategic support should an unforeseen event, an outbreak of Covid perhaps, strike one of the companies. The other would step and complete work for a customer who might otherwise be let down.
However, the two already see the next step being the ability to collaborate on tender opportunities offering a wider range of services and firepower to match that offered by a larger business.
The two both operate in book production, with this being the main focus of TJ Books at its factory in Padstow, while Hobbs the Printers offers a broader range of work, including book printing.
Both are well invested: TJ Books has installed equipment from Canon, most recently an iX3200 HD cutsheet inkjet press, and Duplo since Andy Watts led a management buyout in 2018. HP Indigo has been digital print supplier to Hobbs, which has also been the first UK company to install the MBO CoboStack to make its folding operation more efficient.
The two are of a similar size with Hobbs employing 130, TJ Books around 120 before Covid. There are no plans for any formal merger. Watts says: We will continue to work independently, servicing our clients on a daily basis. However, this novel situation of two well established and respected printing companies working closely together as partners is designed to provide the customer with peace of mind knowing that whatever the challenges or their unique print requirements, we will work together to provide a solution and get the job done in a swift turnaround.”
“Forming this alliance was an absolute no brainer.”
The logic from Southampton is equally compelling, says David Hobbs. “With so much uncertainty in the world due to Covid-19, we believe this is a smart business move that will benefit both of us as well as the industry at large. What is great is that while both companies have similar processes and equipment, each also offers different, more specialised services.
“This gives us a resilience that many other companies don’t have at this time.”
As well as the Indigos, Hobbs has a Domino continuous feed inkjet press and Komori litho presses for four-colour work, including a Lithrone 37 HUV machine, and two-colour perfecting Speedmasters for mono work. Finishing includes a Muller Martini Presto II digital stitching line.
TJ Books has two Canon ColorStream continuous inkjet presses supported by two Hunkeler Booklines with Ricoh cutsheet toner machines alongside the Canon inkjet press. There is also a Muller Martini Vareo binder capable of book of one production alongside a more conventional Kolbus bindery and Koenig & Bauer large format litho presses.
