EquiVest and Kinsky Capital have backed a management team led by chief executive (formerly chief operating officer) Garry Hobson, to buy the business, which comprises Quarmby in Huddersfield and Katz in Weisenbach, Germany.

The deal marks the exit of private equity house 3i along with original management shareholders Elmar Hohmann and former Jarvis Porter chief executive Richard Brewster, both of whom will continue to act as advisers.

Brewster has bought Quarmby twice during his career in print. He initially acquired it in 1992 while he was at Jarvis Porter, and came back to buy it again, through Interbrandpro, in 2001. "It's the most supreme form of flattery," Brewster said.

Interbrandpro has sales of around 20m, 5.3m of which is generated by Quarmby, and produces 2bn beermats per year. It also produces tabletop point of sale materials and placemats.

Brewster said he would continue to advise the Interbrandpro management team on the next stage of its expansion, which may include acquisitions.

While backed by 3i Brewster was forbidden from being a director of another print-related business, but he is now free of that covenant and plans to "cast his eye around" for opportunities.

Interbrandpro timeline
- 2000 3i backs Richard Brewster and team to form Interbrandpro

- 2000 It acquires Katz (Germany) from Pfleiderer

- 2001 The firm acquires both Quarmby and Waterlomat (Belgium) from Jarvis Porter

- 2005 Brewster and 3i exit, as company is sold in secondary MBO