Fprmer Smyth-Horne managing director Mike Biggs has set up new finishing equipment firm, Encore, which will be the exclusive UK distributor for MB folders next year.

The German folding machine manufacturer asked Biggs who left Smyth-Horne six months ago to set up a new firm to continue their relationship.

Biggs said: "I have been selling MB folders successfully for the last 17 years and Im delighted to become exclusive UK distributor once again. MB is a market-leader folding machine with computerised technology far in advance of its competitors."

Encore said it would gain exclusive MB distribution rights from January and will also supply spares to and service existing customers.

However, Smyth-Horne managing director Chris Cooper said that his firm still had rights for MB until the end of the year, and that the situation regarding 2002 was in the hands of solicitors.

Biggs said that he was in the process of setting up a showroom and services base in Hertfordshire.

Encore has also recruited former Smyth-Horne sales manager Paul Davidson, who will be responsible for the firms sales. More staff will be recruited as Encores product portfolio expands.

"We want to focus on print finishing because this is where we have the expertise and we are currently talking very positively to two or three other manufacturers who have expressed an interest in joining us and we expect to make some further announcements soon," said Biggs.

MB was the first manufacturer to release a fully automated folding machine

Encore also said it planned to exhibit MB folders at Ipex in April.

Contact: mike@encoremachinery.co.uk.

Story by John Davies