As PrintWeek went to press it was also poised to complete an acquisition by the end of this week. Chief executive Les Pipe was unable to reveal further details except to say the firm was looking to add packaging and catalogue pre-press skills.

Colour Systems has been rumoured to have had discussions with Birmingham-based packaging outfit Red 485 and London pre-press firm SMAC Associates, which recently went into voluntary liquidation.

Whatever youve heard about Red 485 and SMAC is premature, said Pipe.

The firm has launched two divisions, Size Creative and Applecart Solutions, which sit alongside Colour Systems and design firm Fresh 01 under a new group identity, Fresh Media Group.

Size Creative, a creative retouching operation, is headed up by Simon Berg, while Applecart Solutions is headed up by Dominic Duffy and addresses news and magazines in non-print media.

Colour Systems remains under the control of joint managing directors George Berg and Dave Brin and will continue to focus on publication repro.

Colour Systems is such a good brand, but we wanted a name to reflect the group were creating, said Pipe.

Before the end of the year you can expect expansion and growth both from within and by acquisition.

Story by Barney Cox