Clifford Thames Printing Company is demerging from the Clifford Thames Group in an MBO involving directors Nigel Grant, Gordon Billage and Mike Herbert.


"The group strategy is focused on information management rather than the printing side," said Clifford Thames Printing Company managing director Mike Herbert.


The printing business will remain on its existing site in Chelmsford but the rest of the group will move to new headquarters, also in the town.


Clifford Thames Printing is also acquiring the business and assets of Norwich-based Child Reprographics, with managing director Rick Child joining the Clifford Thames board.


As a result of the two companies coming together, a number of redundancies will occur, and the management is in negotiations with the GPMU.


Child Reprographics' equipment and employees will transfer to the Chelmsford site, as its current premises are only leased.


A number of cost-saving measures are also being
discussed with the workforce, including a change in terms and conditions in return for stakes in the new company.


The directors have said that they are "both positive and excited about the future for the company," which they feel will directly benefit clients such as print buying agencies, magazine publishers and commercial print buyers.


The restructured company will benefit from a complete Prinergy PDF digital workflow, with a Heidelberg Trendsetter platesetter and Heidelberg Spectrum Trendsetter coming from Child.


This will complement the Roland 708 and three other B1 presses, along with in-house finishing, mono digital printing and a Xerox 2060 colour digital press.


Story by Andy Scott