The acquisition was completed on 9 April and will see Cheadle, Cheshire-based Cestrian remain at its current 5,400sqm leased premises, with all 90 of its staff being kept on.
The deal takes Arian’s headcount to around 310 and gives the business its first UK production site.
“Arian has an ambitious growth strategy, which includes manufacturing in key global locations. The UK was a natural choice for our first manufacturing plant outside mainland Europe and Cestrian was an excellent fit for our strategy,” said Simon Summers, who has taken over as managing director of Cestrian.
“This merger brings together over 60 years’ industry experience and over the coming weeks and months we will be working hard to ensure all current business is settled in as seamlessly as possible and demonstrating to all our client partners the benefits to them this investment will bring.”
He added: “Cestrian has a strong name and reputation in the UK marketplace and will continue to operate as Cestrian post-acquisition. However, we will also be developing a group brand proposition over the coming months.”
Summers has been with Arian for three years and previously headed up its sales subsidiary business Arian Visual Solutions, which will continue to operate, though Summers’ role will now be dedicated to Cestrian.
Former Cestrian owner and managing director Phill Reynolds is currently supporting the integration and handover and will remain with the business alongside the rest of the management team.
Reynolds said: “Cestrian has always had a strong presence within the industry. But now our services and knowledge will be expanded as part of Arian’s global plans, painting a much brighter future for everyone.”
Arian chief executive Stephan Kollegger added: “Arian has a wonderful reputation across Europe and further afield for its technology and investment-led partnership with clients. We believe Cestrian to be a great fit for our UK ambitions. It will bring huge opportunities for existing clients and something new and exciting for all brands and retailers.”
In 2016 Cestrian became the first UK company to install an EFI Reggiani Pro 340 digital textile printer. This followed on from a pair of EFI Vutek HSr Pro dedicated roll-to-roll inkjet presses that were installed just before Christmas 2015.
The company achieved a turnover of £11.1m for the year ended 30 September 2017, according to its most recently filed accounts on Companies House.
