The deal for the circa-£1m turnover Nottingham business was completed yesterday (1 February) for an undisclosed sum.

It is Feering, Essex-based Premier’s fourth acquisition; it most recently bought Merchandise House in August last year. 

Premier managing director Jamie Marshall said the strategy of inorganic growth would continue and would not rule out further acquisitions this year, saying he was “always actively looking”.

“Blueprint brings a very good customer base and two very experienced members of staff,” said Marshall.

“It is going to bring us a Nottingham base, which we’ve never had before, and bring us more brainpower. They are a good solid company with a very good reputation and similarly to ourselves are very focused on customer service.”

Marshall added that the deal took around six months to complete after Premier put the feelers out via an acquisition advert on Sourcing City, to which it had 15 responses. Former Blueprint managing director Mark Wilson approached Premier after seeing the advert but he has since left the company.

Blueprint will take on the Premier branding but remain in its Nottingham office.

Founded in 1991 by Marshall, Premier, which since the acquisition has sales of £5.6m and 32 employees, sells a variety of printed and promotional products, including notebooks, pens, mugs and confectionery. It also has a print and design service for bespoke items.