DPC managing director Martin Guntrip said the company had managed to secure new clients that previously had not dealt with Dudley.

"I think they were worried about the future, but they can see now that we have a stable financial footing," he said.

Guntrip said this was down to a combination of the management team and a city consortium, headed by its non-executive chairman Eric Anstee, the former chief executive of Old Mutual Financial Services.

Guntrip said the company was operating on a sound footing, with sales nearly 20% over budget in the first quarter since the MBO.

It is also looking to improve its e-commerce package and link up with one of its strongest suppliers, which Guntrip declined to name at this stage.

DPC was formed when former Dudley Print sales director David Morris and operations director David Morris bought its assets and goodwill from administrative receivers Grant Thornton.

Story by Andy Scott