The directors of Burnley-based Hudson and Pearson, Graham and Linda Holehouse, called in administrators on 10 November, after suffering a decline in turnover due to “a challenging economic climate”.
Partners at Manchester-based accountancy firm BDO UK, Kerry Bailey and Dermot Power, were appointed joint administrators and immediately made all 34 staff redundant.
They have kept employees on temporarily to fulfil outstanding orders but said that after that the company will cease to trade.
Bailey said: “Unfortunately, the challenging economic climate and a decline in turnover severely affected the company’s working capital position and the directors were left with no other option but to place the company into administration.
“The joint administrators are taking all necessary steps to maximise recoveries for creditors and are now seeking a sale of the company’s business and assets.”
The company was established in 1906 by Burnley printer Solomon Hudson, who was working as a letterpress printer for the Burnley Express, and print buyer Thomas Pearson, who worked for a local wine and spirits dealer. The business started by printing and supplying paper bags to local businesses.
The company was sold by Pearson’s daughter to two brothers named Bradley in 1962 who registered it as a limited company and turned it into a litho business. In 1988, current chairman Graham Holehouse bought a major shareholding in the company.
Until its administration Hudson and Pearson produced corporate, promotional and educational print materials on three eight-colour B1 presses and a six-colour B2 press and also got involved in book publishing.
An autobiography of Burnley football club legend, Jimmy McIlroy was one book produced by the firm.
It also ran a finishing service, with folding capacity from B1 to A7 including a Hunkeler auto perforating, glueing, slitting and sealing line and a Muller fold, stitch and trim line, including loop stitching. It also offered die-cutting, creasing, embossing and pop-ups and had a full studio service.
Neither Mr or Mrs Holehouse were available for comment.
The company filed abbreviated accounts at Companies House.
