Sykes' print plant sold to Buccleuch

Buccleuch Printers in the Scottish Borders has bought the printing assets of US software company Sykes for an undisclosed sum.

The Langlee-based print division, which was formerly known as McQueens Printers, has 37 staff and three Heidelberg four-colour presses, including two B1s and one B2. Sykes retains the print fulfilment arm of the business, based in Netherdale, along with its call centres in Edinburgh.

Buccleuch Printers managing director Stuart Latta (pictured) said that he was still assessing the future of the acquisition, but planned to make it a mirror of his firm's Hawick operation.
"We are a commercial printer and plan to put commercial work through there. It will help us offer an even faster turnaround along with increased flexibility for our client base," said Latta.

The Sykes print division's preferred supplier status for Adobe software will continue under the company's new management.

"It means that we can still bid for the Adobe contracts. McQueens has always had a strong relationship with Adobe and printed manuals for the software. They also did distribution for them," said Latta.

Buccleuch Printers had already been a preferred supplier to Sykes prior to the acquisition.
McQueens, which was bought by Sykes for £50m four years ago, has made shooting targets since Victorian times, although this is no longer considered to be its core business.

Last year Buccleuch Printers upgraded its pressroom, with a MAN Roland 702 perfecting press and a five-colour MAN Roland R300 B2 joining its R702.

Story by John Davies