A time for some subdued reflection, while considering the sad demise this week of WHP Newbury, formerly White Horse Press.

I can't help wondering whether the beginning of the end came in January last year, when the formerly B2 printer moved into B1, at the same time as it invested in digital kit.

That's quite a chunk of change to handle in one fell swoop, and at a time when one of the firm's core markets (high end property brochures) wasn't exactly booming. I remember at the time feeling a bit uneasy about what it would all mean for the company, as such a change ranks alongside "plans relocation to supersite" in my list of business moves that can easily end up going awry. A reader commented on precisely this aspect at the time of that earlier blog.

I've had loads of conversations with printers over the years who've talked about how stepping up to a larger press format has had more knock-on impacts than initially envisaged, be that B2 to B1, or a move from B1 to VLF. Prepress, finishing, materials handling, all need to change. And there's also the not-so-small matter of all that additional capacity. What's more, WHP also added digital printing, with all of its attendant learning curve. I can think of success stories who've pulled major moves such as this off, but not many that have managed it in the teeth of a recession.

Perhaps I'm wrong and WHP failed for completely different reasons that may become clear once the liquidator's report is available. Whatever the whys and wherefores, I feel incredibly sad for the firm's loyal and skilled workforce, and also for Peter Arnel and Steve Greener who built the business up. It's hard to believe they could have envisaged things turning out like this.