Wyndeham is relocating Hemel Hempstead-based Aquaprint and consolidating it into fellow group direct mail firm Print Direct.


Print Direct managing director Gary Lasham said: "We're actively encouraging all Aquaprint employees to relocate. We hope as many as possible will come up to the North West."


Lasham admitted it was unlikely that all Aquaprint's 26 staff would accept the move to the 4,300m2 premises in Stockport, but added: "There will also be some opportunities for others to take up employment at another Wyndeham business in the South East."


He said the move had been prompted by growth across the two companies in the last couple of years.


"In many ways Aquaprint is a victim of its own success. The premises are older than up here [in Stockport] and they're running out of room. So the decision sort of made itself."


All Aquaprint hardware, including its three Automation Color J Super presses and Didde VIP press, will be relocated by March.


"Aquaprint is one of the strongest names in the four-colour sector," said Lasham, "so we'll keep the brand name. It's perfect really because we're one of the best known names for direct mail from four- to 10-colours."


Wyndeham bought Print Direct in July 2000 for 15.6m. The company has 70 employees and in the financial year to March 2000 made a pre-tax profit of 1.9m on a turnover of 11.4m.


Story by John Davies