"It [print] is fantastic value compared to other areas of the media," said Media & Print Investments managing director Mike Dolan. "If you compare it to say CD or DVD duplication, the margins are better and the acquisition costs are lower. Print has become unfashionable we're about to change that."

He added that the acquisition of the Romsey, Hampshire-based commercial printer was the first of a string of acquisitions to build a print group focusing on high-quality B1 print markets.

"We're already in advanced discussions with a number of other companies that are complementary to Borcombe," said Dolan. "In the next few weeks we hope to make further announcements."

Dolan, who has a finance rather than a print background, said he had already had discussions with a number of undisclosed print experts to add strength to the management team of the new venture.

He said that the firm would focus on high-quality B1 products including books, folios and commercial work. Its acquisition
targets will be in the south, within a 50-mile radius of Southampton.
Dolan will take over as managing director of Borcombe, which was 358 in the PrintWeek Top 500 with sales of 5.3m, in March following the retirement of outgoing managing director and owner Nick Budge.

Even without further acquisitions Dolan claimed that the business, which combines design, pre-press, B1 litho and digital print and finishing, had sufficient capacity to double sales to 10m.