Chairman and chief executive Tim Brettell also said talks were ongoing with a suitor over the acquisition of its entire share capital (PrintWeek, 2 May).

Although he declined to name the suitor, or say when negotiations would be completed, Brettell said that as discussions had taken this long one would assume the buyer was serious.

Print management, which accounts for 66% of groups sales, reported a 6% rise in sales to 10.4m. Total turnover increased 8% to 15.8m thanks to contract wins over the last year.

Pre-tax profits of 2.3m, before goodwill, were up 5% on the same period last year.

The results demonstrate a significant improvement in our performance, with print management, our major business area, continuing to perform well ahead of last year, added Brettell, who felt Access Plus was different from other print management companies because it became more embedded in its clients businesses.

Story by Andy Scott