The SMS Group has bought back its four Burnham, Slough-based companies from RSM Robson Rhodes after placing them into administrative receivership at the request of director Martin Brown.


The assets and goodwill of the four companies Spectrum Marketing Services, SMS Direct, SMS Creative and SMS Business Forms now belong to SMS Howards Labels, whose commercial print division will trade as SMS Howards.


A statement from RSM Robson Rhodes said: The appointment was requested by the companies director following various trading difficulties over the last few months.


We have completed a sale that not only provides security for customers and employees, but has also achieved the best possible outcome for the companies creditors.


SMS Howards managing director Stan Holland admitted that the four companies had creditors.


It wasnt an easy decision to make but we had to bite the bullet. Weve invested six figures to safeguard 80 jobs, he added.


The four companies had a combined turnover of over 12m in 1999.


Story by John Davies