The other members of the buyout team include operations director Kevin McGowan and sales and commercial director Jon Marsh.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, was completed on the 6 January after five months of discussions. The MBO team will take ownership of the Rotherham-based firm from Dennis and Trevor Horner who founded the company in 1982.

"Dennis and Trevor had taken a back seat for the last couple of years, bringing in a management team to run the business, so it was just natural evolution when they wanted retirement," said Fox.

"Our future strategy is based on evolution rather than revolution. We have acquired a fantastic business, which has solid foundations," she added.

The 14m turnover firm specialises in the production of corporate stationery, forms, booklets and pads. Its client list includes HSBC, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Prudential, BT, British Gas and The Co-operative Bank and stores.

"We will continue to develop our current business, look at some smaller contracts, and consider an investment in digital later this year," said Fox.

The firm is in discussions with a number of digital press vendors, and hopes to install the kit during the summer to build its personalisation and on-demand capabilities. The MBO team hopes to increase the firm's turnover to 15.2m during 2006.

According to Fox, she has no plans to change the company name, as it is well known and has a strong reputation: "It is also quite dear to us, in that it represents our history and where we came from the Horner brothers, Dennis and Trevor."

The deal was backed by Bank of Scotland and aided by Strategic Corporate Finance and law firm Keeble Hawson.

HBPG
- Founded 1982

- Turnover 14m

- Staff 170

- Kit Edelmann Color Print

- V-72 web press, Drent Vision mini webs, nine Heidelberg Quickmaster 46, Sakurai four- and two-colour presses