The Print Factory of Watford and Shipley's Herbert Walker & Son picked up some key greetings card printing kit at the Burgess auction, held last week.


Two Longford card folders, the Dreissig bronzer and a Hunkeler page inserter were snapped up by The Print Factory in a 500,000-plus spend. The firm recently won a three-year card printing contract with Petal Group, and plans to expand its activities in the sector.



It has taken on several ex-Burgess staff, both production and technical, including special finishing manager Chris Mulcock who will head The Print Factory's card finishing side. The firm had already acquired a Bobst Super Auto Platen from Burgess' Dublin plant.



Herbert Walker & Son bought a Speedmaster 102CD and a Bobst, and has also snapped up some of Burgess' highly-skilled workforce.



Auctioneer Peter Geddes of Colebrook Evans & McKenzie said that the sale, held on 14 September, was "very busy", with more than 400 buyers attending. "Prices held and all the major items were sold. All the printing presses were sold to private buyers beforehand," he added.