Mergers and acquisitions

DS Smith has completed the sale of its plastics division to Stamford, Connecticut-based Olympus Partners and its affiliate, flexible packaging specialist Liqui-Box.

Taylor Bloxham Group was insolvent on a cashflow and balance sheet basis and had just £20,000 in the bank at the time of its administration, with creditors of the business owed more than £7m.

Streamline Press and sister firm Baxters have jointly bought local business Spectrum Printing Services forming a Leicestershire-wide print group.

HP said it is “reaching out to Xerox” to explore if a deal is worth pursuing, but called the manufacturer’s current bid “flawed and irresponsible”.

HP has implemented a shareholder rights plan or 'poison pill', that will make it more difficult for Xerox to progress with its hostile takeover bid.

HP wants its shareholders to have “full information” on its earnings and inherent value before it responds to Xerox’s increased bid for the company.

Komori has signed a deal to acquire MBO Group, with the aim of making the German paper folding machine manufacturer a Komori subsidiary.

Mailbox DM, the direct mail operation rescued from last week’s administration of Taylor Bloxham Group, is fully up and running again as of today.

Xerox has increased its hostile takeover offer for HP to $24 (£18.56) per share following several previous rejections by HP.

Administrators from FRP Advisory have confirmed their appointment at Taylor Bloxham Group, with most of its operations being shut down immediately although one part of the business has been sold.