Simmons takes helm

MBO at Dayfold

Dayfold plans to embrace new technologies and opportunities
Dayfold plans to embrace new technologies and opportunities

Managing director Del Simmons has begun a management buyout process at creative production specialist Dayfold Print.

Simmons said the MBO was the beginning of a five-year plan at the Verwood, Dorset company.

“We want to keep what’s great about Dayfold but take it forward embracing new technologies and opportunities, but keeping the DNA of what has made Dayfold so successful,” he explained.

Simmons said he expected to announce additional senior appointments to his team over the coming weeks.

The £5.5m turnover business employs 50 full time staff. It specialises in creative print work and recently added box making to its list of services.

“During the process of the MBO we began our move into the production of rigid boxes, this is a wonderful example of where the strengths of Dayfold – it’s knowledge of materials, applied finishes and different print processes – can be applied to similar related markets. We only installed the new machinery at the beginning of the year but sales are booming, boxes are just the start, watch this space!”

The firm runs litho and digital print kit, along with a variety of finishing options including foiling and embossing. Over the summer Dayfold signed up with CarbonQuota to analyse the carbon footprint of its work.

The MBO involves buying out existing shareholders including directors Les Abbott-Fryer, Michael Shier and Mark Smith.

Simmons said Abbott-Fryer and Shier would be stepping back, but would still have some involvement with the company. Smith will remain as a board member of the new business.