Terry and Shirley Vickery and their sons Roy and Robert, all four of which are equal shareholders in both companies, bought Monarch in November 2012. They took over from its owner Philip Legge who died suddenly in July last year.
A raft of finishing equipment was decommissioned and moved into Monarch’s 1,115sqm Charlton office from Ace’s Deptford plant over the Christmas period. This included four MBO B30 444 folders, two Muller Martini stitch and sew machines, one SEYPA 115 guillotine, a 12-station Muller Martini collator, a Muller Martini Starplus 15-station binding line and a Muller Martini 321 saddle stitcher.
The machines joined Monarch’s five wiro binding machines, three shrink wrappers and the company’s new Paperplast laminator, which was installed in early December by ALB Graphics.
Monarch's machines expand Ace’s offerings, and it will now offer hand finishing through Monarch’s 10-strong workforce, which will add to Ace’s 12 staff. As the companies offer such different finishing services, they will remain separate despite running from the same office.
Terry Vickery, managing director of Ace and Monarch, said he was extremely grateful for the help he had over Christmas with the move, which involved 22 people working 10-hour days at the end of December to ensure that the machinery and building was set up to begin trading in January.
He said thanks were owed to APR Solutions, which moved Ace’s four MBO folders, WD Bindery services for the reinstallation of the binding line, and Edwards Electrical, PDH Electrical and Derek Leftley and Co for the building work.
Vickery expects that the boosted capacity and new services from the two companies will double Ace’s £700,000 turnover in the new year, restoring it to pre-recession levels.
He said: "The offer was put in front of me for Monarch and I grabbed it with both hands. Both of the companies working together is a great opportunity.
"Monarch has a very good reputation in the industry and we will be sure to give as good a service as they have given in the past."
Vickery added that he was delighted to have made a profit from Monarch in the first month since the takeover.
"I think we will break even or even make a profit from the new company in 2013, which is adventurous in this economy," he said.
Details will follow about the new site’s first open house to be held at the end of January.
