The deal for the Preston-based business, which was originally a signmaking/signwriting specialist formed in Blackpool in 1890, was completed on Tuesday 3 May.
For the past two decades, the company has focused its efforts on selling and supporting large-format printers, cutters, and finishing equipment for the outdoor graphics and signage industry.
During the same time, Entwistle Group, which was established in 1899, has continued to expand its own wide-format business with a focus on CAD and inkjet graphics printers and associated supplies as well as its core business, sustainable print.
Although Entwistle Group will take ownership, all management staff and facilities at Granthams GT will remain the same. The formal trading name of the new company is Granthams GT Ltd. The trading address will remain in Preston, while Entwistle will continue operating as a separate company in Manchester.
Granthams GT told Printweek that as the two companies had been part of the same buying network (GDL Group), it had worked closely with Entwistle for many years, shared performance, and discussed future plans quite openly. As a result of this, Entwistle approached the business with its proposal late last year.
Kirsty Reader, general manager of Granthams GT, said: “We see this as an incredible opportunity for both teams to share their extensive knowledge of the industry. This partnership will give our businesses a chance to expand together and tap into new and exciting areas of the industry.
“We’ve known and worked alongside Entwistles for many years as part of the GDL Network, so we are thrilled to be joining forces.”
Granthams Copy and Print Bureau as well as the Online Art and Graphic Supplies operation in Blackpool, which trades under ArtDiscount.co.uk, will remain completely unaffected by these changes and continue under the ongoing ownership of Granthams Ltd.
All staff in the Granthams GT division have been kept on – there are currently six people but it will be five from 1 July as one of the company’s engineers is moving on to work in another industry. The business will be actively looking for additional staff going forward, as well as looking to take advantage of the engineers within the Entwistle Group when and where it can.
Granthams GT is continuing to employ members of the accounting team at Granthams Ltd’s Blackpool division to aide in the transition. The business has been able to retain a close working relationship with Granthams Ltd, which will likely continue going forward.
Granthams GT currently supplies kit from Mimaki, Roland DG, HP, Graphtec, Summa, Easymount, and Rollover, as well as software, finishing equipment, and materials from several other manufacturers. Entwistle Group currently supplies kit from HP, Canon, Epson, KIP, Summa, Contex, Colortrac, Ricoh, and Easymount, among others.
Granthams GT said the two firms’ areas of expertise are “non-conflictive”, so going forward it will be able to provide Entwistle with leads for inkjet and graphics equipment, while Entwistle will be able to recommend Granthams GT for large-format outdoor and signage kit.
