July headlines make a big deal of deals

01 August 2022

Business

While the passing of one of print's most polarising figures dominated July's list of most read articles, deals were undoubtedly the overarching trend. And while their successful conclusions, in terms of M&A, contracts and investments, were lauded, less welcome was the Royal Mail and unions' failure to agree one.

1 Tributes paid to 'industry titan' Barry Hibbert 8,990 clicks
Barry Hibbert, one of the industry’s most powerful and polarising figures, has died aged 61.

2 Shock as Portals announces Overton closure 8,285 clicks
Historic papermaker Portals has rocked the industry with the announcement that it plans to close its Overton banknote paper mill with more than 300 jobs likely to go as a result.

3 Xerox buys Go Inspire 6,383 clicks
Industry giant Xerox has swooped to acquire Go Inspire as it looks to expand its Digital Services business worldwide.

4 Former YM director calls for investigation into group's affairs 4,376 clicks
A former director of YM Group has gone public with his concerns about the way the business was being run long before its web division collapsed and the group went into administration – and claims repeated warnings to the board and YM backer Pricoa were ignored.

5 Park Communications delighted at new ownership 2,965 clicks
Park Communications has been acquired by a long-standing family-owned continental print group.

6 Bauer agrees new print deal with Prinovis 2,920 clicks
Printing of the UK’s top selling weekly magazine is being repatriated to the UK thanks to a fresh deal between Bauer and Prinovis.

7 Unite confirms Royal Mail strike dates 2,681 clicks
Royal Mail managers have confirmed the dates for industrial action later this month.

8 Stephens & George in £4m automation spend 2,167 clicks
Stephens & George Print Group (S&G) has signed off a £4m spend as it looks to continue its automation journey and maintain its position as one of Europe’s most advanced magazine production sites.

9 Unite members vote for strike action at Royal Mail 2,032 clicks
Royal Mail has accused Unite of misleading its members after more than 2,000 managers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, and action short of a strike.

10 Manchester Printers completes third acquisition in three months 1,969 clicks
Manchester Printers Group has acquired Chester-based business Signature Printing, the third acquisition it has made since April – with more set to follow.