Philip Myers sales director Kim Naylor said that it had been looking for acquisitions for some time, and felt the deal for Neston was a natural progression.

Administrators are still talking to interested parties with regard to sale of Neston's Komori System 38SII 16pp, which was bought in July last year (PrintWeek, 3 July 2003).

The new company will be called Philip Myers Web (Neston).

Wirral-based web offset firm Neston went into administration on 9 June with Kroll Corporate Finance (PrintWeek, 24 June).

Naylor said the move for Neston provided the direct mail specialist with an entry into the web market, which it will now look to build on and develop.

A clean-up operation is currently underway at the purchased site and Naylor said around 15 former print staff at the plant were currently being interviewed for jobs.

"We hope to be up and running in a week or so," she said.

Neston had a turnover of 10m, and Komori System 38S11 16pp and Heidelberg 8pp web presses.

Warrington-based Philip Myers took delivery of three Xerox digital presses in January this year (PrintWeek, 8 January), and last year invested 2m in 12-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster.

Formed in 1977, Philip Myers Press employs 103 staff and has a turnover in the region of 8.5m.

Its clients include Royal Sun Alliance, Halifax, MBNA International Bank, British Aerospace and Kingfisher.