Parkes, who together with former co-owner Roger Muir sold Goodman Baylis to Media & Print Investments (MPI) in January 2008, subsequently severed all ties with the business but retained ownership of its 85,000sq ft site.
Following the demise of MPI and the failure of its successor HS Printers, Parkes and Muir bought the assets of Goodman Baylis, including the plant, machinery, fixtures and fittings, off administrator Harris Lipman.
Vertis Group, which takes its name from the Roman name for the city of Worcester, has now launched on the former Goodman Baylis site, reemploying 20 of its ex-staff in the process.
Parkes has been appointed chairman of Vertis Group whose management team consists of managing director David Renouf, group sales director John Ashfield, operations director Richard Weaver and commercial director Jon Williamson.
Vertis Group, which is a new start venture, consists of Vertis Print and Vertis Digital. According to the company it has the support of some of the former clients and suppliers of Goodman Baylis.
Renouf said: "We are currently employing 20 people, many of whom are highly skilled key members of the previous workforce who have worked together as a team for 20 years or more. Former customers have placed orders, so we are delighted with the response from all parties."
Ashfield, a former Polestar group sales director, added: "Whilst it is perhaps counter cyclical to launch a conventional printing business at this time, we believe there is an opportunity for a strong regional business with ties to larger business."
