Normanton-headquartered IT and print management specialist Hague has confirmed a deal to acquire the print management division of Contrac, which now plans to focus on other areas of business.

Contrac, which is based in Beverley, East Riding, operates across the UK and, at its peak in the 1990s, was turning over £14m. However, by the time it was acquired by Hague, on 2 January 2018, sales had fallen to a little over £4m. Hague director Nathan Wain said he was hoping to “get it back up there”.

He said: “It will still be run under the Contrac name, making the most of their enviable portfolio of major clients. It is traditionally strong in East Yorkshire and we hope to consolidate that over the coming year.

“We will be maintaining the current staff, while adding some more members to the sales team. It kicks off an exciting year in which we will be moving some branches, including Contrac, Cardiff, and our Normanton headquarters, into new offices.

“Conversations are also being had about further acquisitions which we will know more about as 2018 progresses, as well as hiring new staff and growing our business organically.”

Under the name Hague Contrac Print Management, the combined business will continue to service its clients with purchase of products, storage, pick-and-pack, and onward distribution.

Its six-strong team, headed up by operations director Melanie Hopper, will carry over in the transition period and will move into new offices within the first quarter of the year.

The Hague Print group currently turns over £20m and operates in more than 60 countries, with 80 staff at sites including Manchester, Cardiff, Australia and Tanzania.