The buyout coincides with the installation of a 1m MPS eight-colour UV flexo press, designed to take advantage of the increasing market for reel-fed plastic labels.

The firm, which ranks 318 in the PrintWeek Top 500, had been run by the Townsend family since 1866, when it originally printed Nigerian hymn and prayer books. But according to Coles it remains a family-run business as he and his wife have more than 20 years experience working directly with the company.

The successful completion of the MBO addresses the situation often encountered with succession in a company that has been established for more than three generations, said Coles. This now gives the management team the opportunity to focus on developing both the company and its products.

The 90-staff company produces labels for all the major supermarket suppliers, including Macaw and Matthew Clarke. It has a turnover of around 7.1m.

Story by Rachel Barnes