Aldridge Print Group (APG) has issued a letter denying it has merged with Syon Print Group after Syon went into liquidation (PrintWeek, 29 June).


It was a knee-jerk reaction to a problem, and the real meaning of the word merger was not fully understood, said APGs managing director, Robert Aldridge.
He said it had been an emotional time for those involved since the first letter had been sent out, with confusion arising among customers and suppliers.


The first letter, issued on APG incorporating Syon Print letterheaded paper, said APG was taking on all the management team
and virtually all factory crew, but actually only two staff have been retained.


Aldridge, who is also a creditor of Syon Print, would not reveal the identities of the two staff concerned, but said they would be looking to continue their existing business relationships.


The second letter, dated 2 July, stated that APG has not purchased the business of Syon Print, and will do nothing more than employ some of the ex-staff and facilitate the completion of ongoing work.


A spokeswoman for liquidators BN Jackson Norton of London said that it had been the decision of Syon Prints directors to call them in, and that a meeting of creditors would take place on 10 July.
The letter caused a lot of confusion among the industry and should not have been issued, she said. A clearer picture of Syons financial state should emerge once the creditors meeting had taken place, she added.


Story by Andy Scott