Colour Quest has merged with four other companies to create The Colour Quest Group and is investing in new kit, including a digital press.
The Hemel Hempstead firm is joined by Jarvis Field, 2JF, Quality Control Print and Artwork Solutions. Tyrone Spence becomes group managing director, while his co-owner Charles Rogers comes in as group sales director. All companies will continue to operate from their existing bases.
Colour Quest is recruiting 12 production staff and three sales staff to join the 70-plus employees across the 10m turnover group.
Spence said the main reasons for the merger were to take advantage of economies of scale, and to offer a "broad range of facilities and products".
Two Heidelberg Speedmasters, a CD 102 six-colour with in-line drying and a five-colour 74 with CP2000, will be installed in Hemel Hempstead during September and October. The group's first digital press is likely to come on board in October, but Spence was unable to provide further details of the manufacturer.
Colour Quest is also upgrading its Screen CTP system to B1 format to handle the additional capacity, and will install a Stahl folder and a six-station saddlestitcher with cover feeder.
The group's management team is completed by production director Adrian Smith, consultant director Bill Berloth, and non-executive Ann Chelton.
Story by Gordon Carson