"We need to move as we are operating in a site half the size of some of our competitors," said managing director Mike Wells.

The reports and accounts printer is currently in negotiations to switch to a new site, within an eight-mile radius of the current one.

"Hopefully we would like to be in there by Christmas," he said. At which point investment would follow in pre-press equipment and possibly a new press, to replace an existing one.

Speculation had been circulating that the company would have to move from its present location due to complaints from local residents about the noise. Wells also denied speculation concerning Garden House Press.

"We were never planning to be part of another company, that was never in the plans," he said.

Industry veteran Leonard Wheatley, a director and shareholder of Chris Fowler International, bought CTD four months ago (PrintWeek, 22 April) from the Capita Group, which bought CTD in 2000.

Story by Andy Scott