Northend hints at expansion plans following green accreditations

Northend has said it is on the acquisition trail after bolstering its environmental offering with FSC and PEFC accreditations.

BM Trada awarded the green certifications on 29 September and now Northend is working towards ISO 14001-2.

Managing director of the Sheffield-based company, Nigel Stubley, said: "We chose FSC and PEFC so that we could offer our clients the option of underpinning their own environmental credentials by the use of either logo on specified stocks.

"We also believe it is better to be proactive about these things."

The company has installed RO units for all of its presses, allowing it to reduce IPA alcohol on the presses from 10% to 3%.

"We have also invested in two new Suprasetters and have switched to processless plates, which is a substantial saving on both chemistry and water."

In September, Northend increased its print capacity by 40% with a £1m spend on a five-unit Heidelberg XL 75 with coater.

The press is one of the first of its kind to be installed in the UK and the £4m-turnover company said it would reduce makeready times from 15 minutes to less than five.

Northend, which has 51 staff, also said it is looking to acquire another company as well as growing organically.

Its customers range from small businesses to large international organisations and markets include corporate, education, sports, local authorities and design and advertising.