Germany-headquartered Druck Chemie is owned by Langley Holdings. It said the closure was the result of a global review of its sales operations. 

Six roles could go as a result, with consultations underway with the affected employees. 

Managing director Mirko Kern said: “The UK market is very competitive and it obviously means we are forced to make difficult choices. Our focus now is on supporting our UK staff affected by the closure. 

“I am delighted Graphichem, an established and respected manufacturer and supplier of sheetfed, heat set and flexographic products will stock our products and offer our customers the same high level of service Graphichem are renowned for.”

Graphichem managing director Scott McGauley said he had a long-established relationship with Druck Chemie, having sold his previous business Press Chem UK to the company back in 2013. 

He co-founded Graphichem with Paul Braham three years ago, and the five-staff business has grown sales to £3m since, serving some 140 customers.

It makes pressroom chemicals and has also moved into hygiene products because of the demand caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

McGauley said the Druck Chemie business would be integrated into the firm’s Northwich, Cheshire, facility.

“We are looking to take over operationally from the second week of May, hopefully,” he explained.

He said he expected to grow sales by £1m as a result, and would probably increase staff numbers to eight, and there was the potential for some former Druck Chemie workers to take up new roles.

Druck Chemie acquired BluePrint Products and Hi-Tech Chemicals from Heidelberg last year, and expects to have sales of around €90m (£77.6m) as a result. 

Langley Holdings also owns press manufacturer Manroland Sheetfed.