A management team has emerged as the front-runner to buy up-for-sale Howitts.


John Wells, divisional director of parent group Communisis, refused to comment, as did the management at Howitts.


However, sources close to the business have linked finance director Chris Knight and works director Dave Weiss with a possible bid for the business. They are understood to have secured venture capital backing.


Howitts has changed hands twice in the past two years. The Nottingham-based firm was bought by Waddington in 1999 in a 12m deal, and Waddington was itself acquired by Communisis (then John Mansfield Group) at the beginning of this year.


In August, Communisis announced that it was moving the direct mail work from Howitts to its other sites, and that it would be seeking a buyer for the remaining commercial print business.


A number of commercial printers have subsequently expressed an interest in Howitts.


A statement on the progress of the sale is expected next week.


Story by Andy Scott