Monarch Indexing, based in South Yorkshire, is in the process of winding down its operations ahead of a planned closure during Q1, with co-founders Lee and Terry McCormack preparing to retire.
“I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it but age has caught up with us,” Lee McCormack told Printweek.
The cousins established the business nearly 30 years ago, and relocated from London to Yorkshire in 2004.
The firm’s modern 560sqm factory unit in Hoyland is in the process of being sold.
Two of Monarch’s specialist indexing machines have already been sold to a company in France, and the firm has two remaining Durrer Rega 5 devices still up for sale.
“There is interest in these from a company in Italy who visited us before Christmas and a Spanish company who are coming to view next week,” said McCormack.
However, he firmly believes there is a good opportunity for a UK printing company to step in and add indexing services to their offering.
“The problem is that once we close our doors, clients will have to go to Europe for any indexing. We are busy here nearly all year round with six members of staff, so the work is here,” he explained.
“The European companies seem to offer the complete service of print, bind and index to ensure that they corner the market on all the work,” he added.
The work mix varies but typically involves catalogue-type products for clients such as bathroom and clothing brands, as well as for financial services providers.
“I think it just needs someone here in the UK to realise the potential of taking it on in-house. Not only would they potentially have another added extra to offer, they would save on logistics, which can work out expensive on the bigger runs when five or six lorry loads or more are involved,” McCormack noted.
He said the firm’s equipment was up-to-date, fully serviced and with the latest software upgrades, and has been in operation on a daily basis.
The two Durrers are priced at £140,000 (with thumb indexing) and £130,000 (thumb indexing can easily be added).
A new model would cost around £750,000, he said.
Monarch's factory manager Jason Leather would be willing to travel to provide initial training.
McCormack said he was also keen to make sure clients and the trade at large were aware that the business was coming to an end.
“I have tried to inform our clients but I don’t think they will realise the implications until we close, as some of them only get two or three indexing jobs done a year.
“If someone was interested in trade indexing as well as their own products they would hoover up our existing trade.”
He quipped: “If I was 20 years younger and had the funds it would be a no brainer for me. Unfortunately I’m not 20 years younger!”
