Service reaps over 18m for half year

Service Graphics, the firm assembled from various assets of Photobition, claims it is on track to achieve sales of 40m in its first year of business after reporting a turnover of 18.5m for the first six months of 2002.

Sales director Ben Moss said that while margins had not been great, the business was profitable, although he would not specify figures.

Service Graphics' acquisition of large-format digital printing firm Colourlink London (PrintWeek, 31 May) is on ice, pending further negotiations, but Moss was optimistic that the deal would be completed in the next month.

The firm is also looking at establishing strategic alliances with small to medium-sized printing businesses, particularly those with a similar client base.

Moss said it would make sound financial sense for printers that were not fairing well to pool resources and share client information.

Service Graphics' Jupiter Display division is to move to a new 850m2 production and showroom facility in London, across town from its present Gee Street base.

Moss said it was the last piece in Service Graphics' reorganisation, and would provide the company with space to display its work to clients.

Service Graphics has also confirmed the appointment of Nigel Bridle as its chief executive and finance director.

Bridle was previously with point-of-sale display company Artform, and oversaw Service Graphics' MBO from Photobition at the beginning of this year (PrintWeek, 4 January).

Story by Andy Scott