Deanprint was originally established in 1890. The business was acquired by Manchester Printers Group in July last year and was relocated to a new site on the Lawnhurst Trading Estate.
However, recent issues at the parent group – with multiple connected companies entering insolvency – resulted in Deanprint being put up for sale with KBL Advisory in Sale handling the process.
Earlier this month, a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators (NOI) was filed for Deanprint, which protected the business from action by creditors during the process.
However, despite employees being told of 22 potential expressions of interest in the company, Printweek understands that none materialised in a conclusive deal.
Yesterday (24 April), Deanprint employees were told the bad news, with the company shuttered and all staff made redundant. A few people remain on site to finish off work in progress.
One former employee told Printweek: “It is such a shame that a fantastic company that had a full order book and many long-term clients including government, hospitals, trade finishing and educational work has after a short period of new ownership collapsed so quickly.”
The firm had previously employed around 39 staff, according to its 2022 accounts.
An industry supplier commented: “This is really disappointing. My understanding is Deanprint were specialised in what they did, with a workforce utilising years of combined skills, to produce top notch work.
“I would imagine diluting the workforce to other print companies, if the jobs are out there, will result in a loss of skills within the industry.”
Deanprint’s range of services included Coptic binding, limited edition books, split page books, menu covers, index cutting, tab cutting, and shaped books.
The firm's former owners sold up after selling the firm’s old site in Cheadle, in a prime location on the A560 close to the M60 junction, to supermarket Lidl reportedly in a £4m-plus deal.
In March Sarah Pinkney, who is the sole director of Deanprint Ltd as well as Manchester Printers Ltd, Manchester Printers Group Ltd, and various associated companies, said the group was seeking advice on each company’s viability to continue as a going concern, following “a significant downturn in our industry and our own businesses” which she said had left the group’s balance sheet “decimated”.
A resolution for winding up was filed against Manchester Printers Ltd on 19 April.
Manchester Printers Group Ltd was clear of any insolvency filings today (25 April), but its accounts are flagged as overdue.
KBL Advisory had not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing.
