News
Northend hints at acquisition ambitions following XL 75 buy
Commercial printer Northend has said it is on the acquisition trail having bolstered its print capacity by 40% with a £1m spend on a five-unit Heidelberg XL 75 with coater.
The Sheffield-based commercial printer said the press, which is one of the first to be installed in the UK, would reduce makeready times from 15 minutes to less than five.
By investing in the XL 75, Northend hopes to "achieve the most efficient and productive plant possible".
Managing director of the 53-staff company, Nigel Stubley, said: "The substantial investment and the two new printing plate lines allow Northend to move to processless, chemistry-free plates, which is all part of a company-wide vision for a sustainable future."
Northend is also looking to acquire another company as well as growing organically.
Stubley said: "While there is considerable nervousness in our industry amid the current economic climate, Northend is continually proving to be the exception.
"Sales are now up 8% in the first quarter and our capacity to take on more jobs will only increase."
The £4m-turnover company received funding from Yorkshire Bank and the South Yorkshire Investment Fund to support the installation.
Northend's customers range from small businesses to large international organisations and markets include corporate, education, sports, local authorities and design and advertising.
Northend first saw the XL 75 at Drupa 2008
Advertisement
Comments
wolf maluchha - 14 September 2008
Why is my taxpayer's money going to this company?
Mick Hart - 15 September 2008
WM - As I understand it, South Yorkshire Investment Fund provides loans for business (not grants). Northends is an old established, well run company, so, what is the problem?
John Grogan - 17 September 2008
If the comp[any is doing so well why is it getting assistance, there is over capacity in the market and the government / us are funding additional capacity, when 2 companies in Nottingham have just gone bust this week wayzgoose, and another, and the week before a company in sheffield went bust Charisma. Whats going on?
Mick Hart - 17 September 2008
JG - I have known, done work for, and have friends at all 3 companies you mention (Clearpoint, Wayzegoose and Northends), but I would rather see a sucessful (ie a surviving) company given support, than a failing company taking out it's suppliers any day, and I'm pretty sure they would. Someone has to employ people made redundant by the latter, and keep skills within the industry - and the type of funding we are talking about is available to just about anyone who can demonstrate a sensible business plan, unfortunately not all are able to at present..
To post comments please log in here