Mystery surrounds the identity of a "specialist sheetfed magazine printing company", which appeared in a Business for Sale advertisement in the Financial Times on 5 June.


The advertisement said that the 30-year-old South East-based company was seeking offers in the price region of 5m, due to the owner wishing to retire.


The company has a turnover in the region of 6m and is profitable, with 120 short-run magazine contracts. The ad said it had "the very latest technology and a good management team in place".


But a series of denials have been issued by likely sheetfed companies based in the South East.


Philip Lintern, managing director of Yale Press, said: "It sounds very similar, but we are not a magazine printer. If someone did want to make me an offer, I might not say no, though."


"It sounds like a good investment, but I can assure you its not our company," said Neil Wass, sales and marketing director at Hemel Hempstead-based Manson Group.


"If anything, we are on an acquisitive trail," he added.


A further refutation came from Adland Group. Director Francis Knight again said that the business sounded similar, but that the company was definitely not up for sale.


"When you look at how big the South East is, it could be one of a whole range of printers but not many are in the 6m bracket," Knight added.


Story by Andy Scott