Prince, an ex-sales director at Vertis, hit the headlines recently by buying two print-related businesses in quick succession.

Using acquisition vehicle Arcnor, Prince first bought London marketing and print services firm Symbiosis in June. Just a few weeks later he bought Essex-based Mailing and Printing Company (MAP). The 5m-turnover group will now trade under the Symbiosis brand.

The London site, which already houses a five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 52 and digital printing facilities, is about to take delivery of a four-colour Speedmaster 74. And, over the August Bank Holiday, a second unit will be acquired in Harlow, Essex to add to the mailing and fulfilment services.

Due to be up and running by 1 September, the new unit will house digital printing facilities, including two Kodak Digimasters and a Xerox DocuColor 6060.

The rest of the year would be a period of consolidation for the group, which Prince said he hoped to grow to "upwards of 20m" in the next three to five years. But he added that he would always consider any acquisition opportunities that might present themselves.

"If people want to talk to us, we're very happy to talk," he said.

Story by Lauretta Roberts