Cliftons, which has been in operation for more than 20 years, closed its doors in 2021 due to several contributing factors.

In January, managing director Tim Clifton posted on LinkedIn: “2021 for Cliftons definitely wasn’t the kindest. Tough trading times, constant material increases, energy increases, various Covid outbreaks, loss of clients and long closures in hospitality hurt!

“We closed our doors in July giving us time to think of a new strategy and a plan to realign. I’m pleased to announce PPG Dagenham and WTTB have given us that lifeline. New kit investment in long run case bound and PUR will enable us to deliver book of one (strategic to PPG) and offer many of the services Cliftons has to the trade over the last 23 years.”

In a statement, Clifton added his business had worked with Precision Proco Group for around 15 years and already had a very good relationship.

“It has been a very tough time, particularly because the kind of work we do such as catalogues for auction houses, for theatres and for hospitality, simply came to a halt during Covid.

“It was a hard decision to make after more than 20 years in the business, but it was important to have a rethink. I had a number of conversations with Precision Proco Group and it’s fantastic we now have this new lifeline and that we are able to provide our binding experience in-house for them going forward.”

Though the deal has only just been announced, Precision Proco Group purchased assets from Cliftons late last summer. Seven staff from Cliftons applied for various vacancies created within the group by the purchase of Cliftons' equipment after the business closed its doors while Tim Clifton joined the group in December as a consultant advising on book of one and commercial book production.

The Cliftons branding has been retained and assets purchased from the business included a Muller Martini Pantera PUR binding line, an Aster sewing machine, and folding and guillotine equipment. This will complement the Kolbus DA 270 casemaker and Muller Martini EMP 513 casing-in line currently in operation at Precision Proco Group's Dagenham facility.

The group said the deal would benefit WTTB, its digital print platform, which is planning to unveil its book super centre in the near future. It will also enable WTTB to produce longer runs of casebound PUR books.

Precision Proco Group chief executive Gary Peeling said that bringing Cliftons’ expertise into the Dagenham plant aligns perfectly with the group’s plans to grow its book printing offering.

“Books are a very important growth area for us, and we will be making some very exciting announcements in the near future. We have invested in equipment which will give our customers even more options than ever before and bringing Cliftons into the fold will help us achieve our ambitions.”

Clifton added: “This is a very exciting move, and we are now looking forward to building and strengthening a whole host of new opportunities for the business.”

Separately, last month Precision Proco Group installed its new HP Indigo 100K, which is additional to its current fleet of digital presses, to increase its capacity and facilitate faster turnarounds.

The move is the first step in the group’s planned upgrade of all of its Indigo machines, which is planned for the coming year.

Following a two-week installation process, the new press is now producing four-colour commercial work, leaving its second B2 HP Indigo to be used for more specialist jobs.

Precision Proco Group said the new machine will give it the additional capacity it needs to deal with its anticipated growth in 2022 as well as delivering 50% more productivity, particularly on projects that are needed with a quick turnround such as overnight or on the same day.

The 100K is said to offer better uptime on previous B2 Indigo models thanks to a redesigned feeder and delivery which give improved reliability.

Peeling told Printweek: “We would always consider alternatives but our strong relationship with HP, coupled with our own team’s skills and expertise working with Indigo – which is the cornerstone of our digital print solution – and the benefits another Indigo can bring to our overall capacity and capabilities made it the obvious choice.”

He said the investment would increase the group’s print capacity “considerably” as well as enabling the business to offer superior turnaround times to clients.

“It should deliver 50% more productivity in terms of sheets on the floor and will also be a huge asset for jobs that require a very quick response.

“This is part of our continued programme of investment as the company continues to grow and make further acquisitions.”

Precision Proco Group currently employs 550 staff and has a turnover of £75m.