Print buying

Chesapeake Services is to merge with Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS) creating a $1.4bn (£864m) global print-based speciality packaging giant.

One of Scotland’s oldest printing firms, Bell & Bain, has bought a warehouse for almost £500,000 and is looking to buy £4m of equipment on top of a £5m spending blitz over the last year.

Amid “intensive talks” Royal Mail has once again agreed to extend the ballot deadline of the Communication Workers Union’s industrial action, for a “final” time.

St Ives Bradford has been re-branded as Global Media Production under new owner Cogent B2B.

Goss International has confirmed it is to cut its Lancashire-based UK workforce by 50% as part of its ongoing global restructure.

The Sherwood Press is looking to increase capacity in packaging by more than double after buying a new Bobst Expertfold 110 A2 folder-gluer machine as part of a £3m two-year investment.

Theatre programme specialist John Good is looking to break into new markets after investing £2.9m in three new printing presses and two finishing machines for brochures and programmes.

Total revenue was down 6.8% year-on-year although Johnston’s digital strategy is beginning to pay off, the company said in its interim management statement.

Bradford-based Prospect Mailing Services has been placed in administration six weeks after parent firm Cogent B2B bought rival direct mail business St Ives Direct Bradford for £8m.

Exaprint has added a range of digitally printed, laser-cut labels to its trade web-to-print offering.