Brindle joined the Preston, Lancashire-based firm as a print apprentice in 1982 and worked his way up through the company as screen printer, screen print supervisor, litho print manager, estimator and general manager before completing a management buy-out (MBO) at the end of July.
Manufacturing business acquisition specialists MasterObjective bought the company in 2008 after its previous owners decided to make a quick sale in 2008 due to family illness.
MasterObjective rebranded Kaymar, which had been seeing its sales fall, and invested in new technology including three digital Konica Minolta presses, which the firm now runs alongside a range of screen printing equipment.
Meanwhile, Brindle, who had been in line to take the reins of the business for some time, enrolled on the LEAD business leadership course to study management practices. He was given mentoring by a variety of specialists to equip him with the skills and ability to take charge of the business.
“When Paul Bailey, managing director of MasterObjective, took over the business from the previous owner it was in need of restructuring. I doubt that Kaymar would still be here if he hadn’t come in when he did,” said Brindle.
“The company had been in the same ownership since the 1970s and we hadn’t kept up with changes in printing and technology. Things had really moved on without us. It needed forward thinking, investment and a real shake-up, which is what MasterObjective brought.
“Taking Kaymar on was always part of the plan but I couldn't have done it without MasterObjective’s support. It came in, gave the business focus and as a result profitability is up.”
Bailey added: “We have taken a company in decline, stabilised it, built a strategy for growth and given Mark the support to satisfy himself and the bank that he’s got the skills to run his own business.
“We are delighted that he has been able to fulfill a long-time ambition and wish him the best of luck.”
Kaymar Print, which has 12 staff and a turnover of just under £1m, produces flyers, business cards, brochures, instruction leaflets and marketing materials for customers ranging from sole traders to large national engineering companies.
