Pureprint has started a new business on the ashes of Ashford Colour Press after the south coast book printer called in administrators.
The move gives Pureprint its inkjet print capacity for document printing along with the experience in operating and managing the technology. This fast tracks the business into a sector of the market it has watched develop, and a business built on supplying school and other academic text books proving a new customer sector for Pureprint.
Ashford Colour Press has operated from a factory in Gosport where it had both inkjet capacity built around HP PageWide T series press and litho capacity around Koenig & Bauer presses. The first colour inkjet press was installed in 2013.
The new business, registered as Ashford Colour on 13 November, will not need the litho capacity, leaving it with T200 series presses. The failed company had also installed a T410 double-width press, working with HP’s Piazza and publisher Pearson to drive a zero inventory strategy for the books market.
However, Ashford Colour Press also took on longer runs as publishers looked to shorten supply chains in the wake of Covid. This did not last as managing director Rob Hutcheson noted in the 2022/23 annual report that the first six months of the 2023/24 financial year fell around 32% compared to the year before as publishers met needs from built up stocks or bought longer run litho work from the Far East.
Hutcheson led a buy out from PE investor Beringea in 2019 leaving the directors in full control and ownership of the business.
At that time Andy Nash had been chairman for 20 years. He stepped down but retained a shareholding. Nash has also been chairman of Pureprint since 2015 putting him in a good position to advise Pureprint CEO Mark Handford. Handford says: “Ashford is a fantastic addition to the Pureprint family. We’ve long admired its expertise, particularly in inkjet and on-demand printing, and we’re excited to combine this with our innovative approach to print and sustainability.
“This acquisition allows us to broaden our client base and enhance our offerings for key sectors while securing Ashford’s talented and dedicated team.”
Pureprint will offer Ashford Colour’s capability to its existing customers with its growing direct mail operation as a prime candidate. Recently appointed non exec director Patrick Headley also understands this sector having led Go Inspire to success in direct marketing with inkjet printing.
The company currently has Hunkeler Booklines for finishing its inkjet reels. Further investment is likely to expand the product range to include enclosing and mailing.
While the HP technology is suited to the quality needed for text books, school workbooks and manuals, Pureprint will need further investment to be able to transfer litho work, including book and catalogue printing, to inkjet.
