Timsons Group and CPI joined forces in 2021, following Timsons’ bankruptcy in 2015 during a prolonged downturn in physical book publishing. The combined company said it is now well positioned to respond to the rebound of printed books and serve the book printers still operating 250 Timsons presses in operations around the world.

The first project of the TimsonsCPI joint venture is the upgrade and refurbishment of an existing T48 single-unit Royal format press to zero-makeready.

The second project, with Canada-based book and packaging manufacturer Friesens, consists of the manufacture and installation of a new press, due for installation in 2024. It will be the first new Timsons press manufactured in more than 10 years.

Friesens’ press will be a completely new version of the Timson T48A that will be equipped with a new operating system and new features and productivity enhancements, including Baldwin’s Impact Fusion blanket-washing system, AMS Spectral LED UV, and spray dampening and ribbon-control systems.

“With Baldwin technology we are able to make major improvements in the design, health and safety and productivity,” said Matthew Baldwin, director at TimsonsCPI.

“As the physical book business has returned to growth, publishers will be looking for printers that can provide speed, quality and value; upgrades and new investments will be required for them to remain competitive.”

Lee Simmonds, Baldwin sales director for UK and Nordic regions, added: “This is an exciting time for book publishing and the entire industry. With TimsonsCPI leading this resurgence we are delighted to partner with them and help them bring added value to their publishing clients.”

According to Booksrated.com, more than 788.7 million copies of printed books were sold in the US in 2022, more than 100 million copies above the pre-pandemic period – the second-highest sales mark for printed books in the 21st century.