Alpine Press managing director Maurice Grainger said the two parties had been in discussions for just over a year, and felt the coming together was a good move.

"We are excited by it. It's a good move, and one which I think will be repeated as the business continues to remain tough," he said.

The two businesses work in similar markets, and Grainger said both operations would benefit from the broader product offerings and synergies created.

Grainger did not rule out further consolidation, and said another print company had already approached him.

The two companies will continue to trade under their existing names from the one site, and Grainger said around 12 of the 20 employees from Maund & Irvine were relocating to the fellow Hertfordshire sheetfed printer's site.

Some of Maund & Irvine's bindery kit and stitching line has moved over to Alpine's site, but its presses will be sold.

However, a new Mitsubishi B2 five colour press with coated bought by Maund has already been installed at the Alpine site, which will site between Alpine's two existing Mitsubishi B1 six colour presses.

A move to CIP4 workflow technology is also scheduled in the next few months.

Maund & Irvine managing director Tony Irvine will remain as managing director of that part of the business, albeit as a slightly smaller operation, and will also join the board of Alpine.

The two businesses will have a combined turnover of around 7m, and total staffing will be 62.

Story by Andy Scott