The new company, which has retained all 30 former staff of the two businesses, will act as an agent, merchant and convertor of paper and board products in the UK market.

"Effectively we have brought together the best elements of both companies," said Doric Anderton director Robert Ward.

He said the business would now seek to grow either organically or via acquisitions.

The merger follows WH Anderton's purchase of the assets of Doric, after the latter had gone into liquidation (PrintWeek, 15 September).