BSS Scotmail, part of multichannel communications organisation BSS, provides print and mail services to businesses and public bodies in Scotland. CFH said the acquisition will save jobs and deliver an ongoing service to existing clients.
CFH Docmail managing director Dave Broadway told PrintWeek BSS went into administration earlier this month and that the acquisition was completed on Saturday (25 July), following a period of due diligence. CFH has funded the purchase from its cashflow.
“It is always sad to see a good business like BSS Scotmail put into this position by factors outside their control,” said Broadway.
“I am pleased that CFH Docmail will be able to ensure that Scotmail continues to serve its Scottish customer base as it has for the last 30 years.”
BSS Scotmail has a turnover of £2.3m and 39 staff, all of whom will TUPE across to CFH’s Livingston premises over the next three months to join the 28 CFH staff already based there. CFH will not keep the Glasgow site, which was leased by BSS.
Following the acquisition, CFH Docmail will now have 380 staff and a turnover of around £44m.
“This acquisition is going to increase our presence in Scotland significantly and make us more of a force there. BSS Scotmail’s customer base is very nice and we’re keen to keep those customers on board,” said Broadway.
“Some of the equipment that we’ve acquired offers things that we haven’t previously done, such as polywrapping, which opens up a few new fields for us. I think it will be a very good addition to the Livingston site.”
CFH Docmail has also acquired three Buhrs enclosing lines and a large amount of IT equipment from BSS Scotmail.
Broadway said the BSS Scotmail name will be kept in operation: “We want the customers to feel that they’re dealing with the company that they’ve always known so we’ll do our best to achieve that.
“To an extent it will be a separate entity, with different branding and invoicing, although there will be some overlap.”
Earlier this year CFH Docmail invested £1.3m in new Pitney Bowes machinery, to enable it to increase its personalisation services to small businesses. The company also operates Drent, Morgan and Giebler litho presses and Xerox and Canon digital kit.
