The deal for an undisclosed sum followed the retirement of one of fellow London-based trade finisher Books' two directors.

The other director, David Blizzard, moved to Cliftons' Walthamstow factory, along with two staff and a 15 clamp, 12-station perfect binding line and a single clamp binder.

The firm exited the stitching market to make space for the binders, in a move that managing director Tim Clifton  hopes will add 30% to turnover.

"Rather than stack it high and sell it cheap, like we had to with the stitching, we prefer to get involved with the niche markets like binding," he said.

The firm is also planning a move into laminating by the end of the year.