The company said that its one-stop-shop approach to its core traditional litho market would be mirrored in the new sector.

Bousfield's new range for the narrow web market includes its Starflex UV flexo inks, Sureflex water-based flexo inks, Sureflex UV flexo inks, Letterflex UV Letterpress inks and Screenbase UV screen inks.

Head of marketing Richard Edwards said the strategic move was into one of the industry's growth areas, unlike its core business, which remained static.

"All the research suggests that this is a growth area. There are about 300 narrow web companies in the UK and we'll be actively targeting them," said Edwards.

The company will also offer pre-press consumables and equipment for the narrow web sector, including Cyrel FAST plates and platesetters, as well as conventional Cyrel plates.

Bousfield returned to private ownership at the end of last year (PrintWeek, 16 November 2001) and has sales of around 30m. Its customers include Butler & Tanner, St Ives, Communisis and The Print Factory.

Story by John Davies