The firm wants to "aggregate" companies with turnovers of approximately 500,000, according to joint managing director Ian Johnstone.

He was introduced to John Reid, the managing director of Lanarkshire-based JR Reid Print & Media Group, last year. Johnstone and Reid then formed Johnstone Reid Investments, each with a 50% stake, and bought JR Reid Print.

The company has a five- to seven-year timeframe to increase its current 4m turnover to 20m.

"Were currently in talks with several companies, but Scotland is a small place in the printing industry so I dont want to give much away just yet," said Johnstone.

Within the year, it hopes to acquire two printers and begin integrating them within the company.

"We have a business model to target companies with synergies or strategic opportunities to open up new markets such as reports and accounts or label printing, as well as new areas of the country," added Johnstone.

Story by Rachel Barnes