Andreou returned to print in 2021 when he acquired SME printing business, Printstore.

He was previously involved with large, multi-site groups having been chief executive at Circle Media Group, and prior to that chief operating officer at Polestar.

His latest buy expands his interest in the growing packaging segment.

“With Printstore I dipped my toe in packaging, and we brought back some contracts. That made me think, can we play in this sector and can understand it a little bit more?” Andreou explained.

Leyland-based Affinity Packaging had been owned by Chris Dew and members of the Mould family since it was set up in 2014, and Dew is also a former Polestar executive.

“I’ve known Chris for 20 years and we stayed in touch and stayed friends,” Andreou added.

“I understood what he has implemented at the business and how well it’s running, and I reached out to him and asked if he would consider selling.”

While Dew will remain as a consultant the timing was right for him to step back into semi-retirement.

The deal completed earlier this year, with Andreou and an investment partner from outside the industry taking over the business via their Thor Acquisitions vehicle.

Affinity Packaging has sales of around £10m and employs 85. The firm specialises in bespoke multi-colour folding cartons and fluted cartons for clients in a variety of markets including food, household goods and personal care.

Equipment includes Koenig & Bauer B1 and large-format sheetfed presses, a Bobst Novacut autoplaten die-cutter and associated carton finishing kit.

Andreou said he believed there was a growing opportunity as clients switch to more sustainable, paper-based packaging.

Further buys could also be on the cards.

“There are lots of smaller companies where the owners perhaps haven’t got family and they’re looking to retire. We see a strategic opportunity in building upon Affinity and growing our packaging business,” Andreou noted.