The Nottingham print group's chief executive Nick Dixon collected the award from PrintWeek editor Lauretta Roberts and host Al Murray (AKA "The Pub Landlord") in front of a 1,400 guests at Grosvenor House, Park Lane.

Howitt, which landed the top prize for its outstanding turnaround under Dixon and his management team, who bought the business at the start of last year, also won the Catalogue Printer of the Year category.

Beacon Press also celebrated a double picking up both the Fine Art and Book Awards.

The full results were as follows:

Printing Company of the Year: Howitt

SME Company of the Year: Kingfisher Print & Design

Pre-Press Company of the Year: Zebra

Post-Press Company of the Year: Diamond Print Services

Environmental Company of the Year: Buxton Press

Customer Service Team of the Year: Communisis

Student of the Year: Andrew Pinder, Plymouth College of Art & Design

Label Printer of the Year: Buckleys

Catalogue Printer of the Year: Howitt

Innovative Printer of the Year: Atomic MK

Packaging Printer of the Year: AGI Media Birmingham

Business Magazine Printer of the Year: Friary Press

Brochure Printer of the Year: Butler and Tanner

Book Printer of the Year: Beacon Press

Direct Mail Printer of the Year: Paul Green Printing

Newspaper Printer of the Year: News International (London)

Report & Accounts Printer of the Year: The Colourhouse

Fine Art Printer of the Year: Beacon Press

Consumer Magazine Printer of the Year: St Ives Plymouth

Digital Printer of the Year: Alderson Brothers Printers

Poster Printer of the Year: SMP Group (Norwood)

Creative Repro Company of the Year: Icon Reproduction

Social Stationery Printer of the Year: The Sherwood Press (Nottingham)

Point-of-Purchase Printer of the Year: Creative Display Group

To view full details of the winners, sponsors and commended companies click here.