News

Wilkins now has seven die-cutters, and all relatively new
£1.4m investment backs up major press purchases

Wilkins sharpens up cutting capacity with another Bobst Expertcut

Retail packaging firm Wilkins has installed a Bobst Expertcut 106 PER 3.0, its fourth Expertcut in the cutting room, bringing the firm to a total of seven die-cutters.

92% of the audience were looking to invest in equipment in the next 12 months
'Where Visionaries Meet'

Fespa 2025 theme and details revealed

Fespa has revealed the strapline for its 2025 flagship show, while sharing further details about the May event.

Shares up over 16% this morning

Xaar updates on trading; appoints new CFO

Xaar's shares have jumped following the release of a trading update while it has also confirmed the appointment of a new permanent chief financial officer.

Potential buyer made £1 bid

Ashford Colour Press struggles revealed

Ashford Colour Press fell foul of vacillating customer demand according to the latest report on the firm’s administration, which also details the six-figure sum paid for part of its business and...

Solent Design Studio operations director Craig Reynolds
Colorado M3W

Solent Design Studio jumps into wide-format with Canon

Hampshire commercial printer Solent Design Studio has launched itself into wide-format work following the installation of a Canon Colorado M3W in November.

95% government subsidy

BPIF offers last-chance bargain on senior leader training

The BPIF has put its Level Seven Senior Leader Apprenticeship – equivalent to a Master’s degree – up for a new intake at just £700, before government funding is cut.

Indie consortium

Aims Group adds new member

Irish merchant Premier Paper has joined the Aims Group of independent merchants.

Pitreavie designs, manufactures, and distributes protective packaging
Earnings-enhancing acquisition

Macfarlane Group acquires Pitreavie

Macfarlane Group has acquired The Pitreavie Group, progressing its strategy to build its protective packaging business through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth.

(L–R): Xeikon's Ser van de Graaf with Abbey Labels' Tom Allum and Xeikon's Hans Gerinckx
Ninth Xeikon for the firm

Abbey Labels takes UK's first Xeikon Lion

Abbey Labels has installed the UK’s first Xeikon LX3000 toner label press, known as 'The Lion' and capable of up to 42m/min in five colours.

Shared values

Portals under new ownership

Historic UK papermaker Portals has been acquired by Germany’s Drewsen Spezialpapiere.

Three lots available

Six-figure stationery contract among new tenders

A contract for printed stationery for Companies House is among a new trio of tenders currently live via the government’s Contracts Finder service.

WPG's bindery staff, including operator Reece Thomas (pictured), quickly got to grips with the new machine
Increased efficiency

Welshpool Printing Group gets up to speed with Horizon install

Welshpool Printing Group (WPG) has installed a brand-new Horizon CRF-362 folder-creaser, helping the company run finishing work more efficiently, and automating several hand-folded applications.

Includes plastic-free range

UPM aims to grow sticky notes sales with new alliance

UPM aims to capitalise on the enduring popularity of sticky notes through a fresh UK partnership with sales and marketing agency Highlands.

Contract printing marginally ahead

DC Thomson focuses on customer value

Publishing and printing group DC Thomson is back in the black in its most recent results.

Report on directors' conduct has been submitted

£50k customer asset lost by Works Manchester

A ‘customer owned item’ worth £50,000 has gone missing from collapsed Works Manchester, reducing the amount of recoverable debt as a result.