The deal was completed last week and will treble staff numbers to 45 at Bousfield Holdings, which has a turnover of around 8.3m (Eu12m).

Bousfield Holdings was formed by Tony Halker and Archie Fyfe soon after the receivers were called in at the Openshaw Group, where Halker was managing director, in January.

It has continued to trade consumables from Faust, which is based in New Jersey and produces raised printing powders, and former Openshaw brands including Win, Spectrum, Wgi, Intergran and others.

Halker said that Faust, which previously belonged to Openshaw Group, had been up for sale since its parent went into receivership.
He said that the deal "brings together both the international distribution and production for the business".

He added that the acquisition marked the first of a number of buys, but declined to give any further details.

Story by Josh Brooks