The acquired equipment includes three paper wrapping lines two from Sitma and one from Buhrs, three Sitma polywrapping lines, a CMC envelope enclosing line and a variety of digital printing devices.
The printing kit includes Konica Minolta mono and colour cut sheet laser printers, and Kirk Rudy high-speed inkjet devices.
The two firms have also acquired The Mailshop’s specialist mail tracking software.
The Mailshop filed a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators (NOI) in May, and administrators from FRP Advisory were appointed to the Hucknall business on 10 June.
The terms of the asset purchase were not revealed.
Vanacomm director Richard Sandman said Sittingbourne-based DRMG had been a client for many years, and The Mailshop had provided key services.
“We already had a very good relationship with The Mailshop, as a huge percentage of the catalogues and brochures we produce were being delivered there to be paper wrapped, along with many millions of third party inserts to go in those packs. So, when this opportunity came up it really was a natural progression for us,” he explained.
Vanacomm and DRMG said the integration of The Mailshop’s advanced paper wrap and mailing capabilities would secure continuity of supply for DRMG, its clients and future clients.
“It will also massively enhance the services offered by Vanacomm to its other customers,” Sandman added.
“By consolidating these assets at Vanacomm's super site in Rotherham, the companies aim to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and expand their production capacity to better serve their clients' diverse needs.”
He said the buy would also support the two firms’ sustainability goals by reducing the carbon footprint of production, and would also eliminate a major spend on “ever-increasing transport costs”.
The equipment will be relocated over the next three months, with a number of new roles likely to be created in Rotherham.
Sandman said there was enough space at Vanacomm’s 13,935sqm facility to house the kit because a plastics recycling business that had occupied around half of the factory has moved out.
Vanacomm runs two Manroland web presses: a 48pp Lithoman with spine gluing and a 16pp Rotoman. Its print setup also includes an eight-colour Speedmaster XL 105 with CutStar reel sheeter.
Extensive post-press facilities include multiple stitching and perfect binding devices.
Sandman and fellow director Chris Howard joined Vanacomm (formerly GD Web Offset) just over a year ago from PM Web in Leeds.
The duo are in the process of buying out founder Paul Mursell.
“We came to an agreement with Paul in December last year to buy him out in an earn out deal, allowing Paul to concentrate on his clients and other business interests,” Sandman added.
“Vanacomm is a bit of a sleeping giant. Chris and I came into the company to help realise its potential.”
Vanacomm currently employs 86. Turnover was not disclosed.
