January offers a taste of things to come in a momentous year

While coronavirus was still largely considered a problem in other countries back in January, in what was perhaps a sign of things to come the year started off with a glut of insolvencies and M&A deals.

1 End of the line for historic print firm 8,751 clicks
Long-established Thomas Loughlin (Liverpool) is shutting down after almost 130 years in business.

2 Situation unclear at CPG 5,692 clicks
Kent-based print firm CPG Brand Communications, which is registered as Colour Print Ltd, is understood to be in administration with all staff laid off with immediate effect.

3 Latimer Trend shortfall revealed 4,468 clicks
Latimer Trend & Company owed unsecured creditors more than £3m at the time of its administration, and the firm has an estimated total shortfall in excess of £4.5m.

4 Emtone ceases trading 3,300 clicks
Specialist litho printer Emtone has gone into voluntary liquidation.

5 Mondi to cease UK manufacturing 2,878 clicks
Mondi is set to bring an end to its UK manufacturing with the planned closure of its two remaining UK production plants, putting 208 jobs at risk.

6 Service Graphics snaps up Image Factory 2,834 clicks
Paragon Group is on the acquisition trail again – its Service Graphics business has acquired Chippenham point-of-purchase specialist Image Factory with details of another buy expected to be confirmed this week.

7 Sunline sister firm Cem Press in administration 2,792 clicks
Specialist printer Cem Press has gone into administration after suffering a downturn in trade.

8 Service Graphics acquires Octink 2,574 clicks
Service Graphics has confirmed its second wide-format acquisition in as many days with the takeover of Octink.

9 CPG administration confirmed 2,564 clicks
Tonbridge-based printer CPG Brand Communications, which is registered as Colour Print Ltd, has fallen into administration this week, it has been confirmed.

10 Diaries and calendars printed with wrong date come into use 2,504 clicks
Millions of Brits have started the new year with incorrect information printed in their calendars and diaries, following the government’s late decision last June to change the date of the 2020 early May bank holiday.