London-based Timscris, which works with publications such as the Daily Mirror and The Telegraph, acquired Strood, Kent-based CSS in order to bring its fulfilment in-house.

However, it will continue to operate as a separate business, its name changing to Templar Marketing Services.

Timscris managing director Matthew Rogers said he hoped to grow the £1m-turnover business. He told PrintWeek: "We now have control of this service, whereas we were outsourcing it to CSS before. It also has other services that we intend to offer to existing clients and we would like to grow that."

Rogers added that once the company was bedded in, he would look into buying new kit and possibly recruiting.

Gina Wickham and Gail Chandler, both formerly of CSS, will spearhead Templar, while Rogers will take on the chief executive role.

According to Rogers, Templar Marketing Services' name is based on the Knights Templar, which have a rich heritage in Strood.