Martin Fothergill, managing director of the newly named paper merchant, said all the local identities, staff and trading names that had been part of Bunzl Fine Paper would be retained.

Our service and management is paramount to our business. The only thing that will change is the visual identity, which is very refreshing, said Fothergill.

Australian paper merchant group PaperlinX bought Bunzl Fine Paper from Bunzl Plc in June for 138m (PrintWeek, 28 June).

PaperlinX is looking to further expand its operations, with particular focus on Europe and North America, added Fothergill.

He said that although The Paper Company had a number of strategic locations around the UK, there were always areas for expansion.

Fothergill thought the next 12 months would see further changes in the industry, with increasing rationalisation across manufacturers, merchants and printers.

It will be a question of keeping up with what is happening and trading through, he added.

Story by Andy Scott

Pictured: Martin Fothergill