Vertis Europe managing director Adriaan Roosen has quashed speculation that the group could be planning to sell the print operations of the former Colorgraphic business.


"We have no intention of selling for us its a core capability and a core competency.


"Both our Leicester and Croydon facilities have a good cost base and an A1 list of customers it would be foolish and ludicrous to sell," he said.


Colorgraphic and its sister company Olwen Direct Mail have recently been renamed Vertis as part of a worldwide re-branding exercise undertaken by American parent group
Big Flower (PrintWeek, 26 January).


Roosen, who joined the group in November, added: "This is a brand new position, and if I hadnt heard about something like this [the rumoured sale], it would be extremely strange."


But he did admit that the ageing equipment at Colorgraphics Leicester plant requires significant re-investment.


Print engineers from America are visiting the plant this week to assess it.


"We are doing a study to try and figure out how we should upgrade the equipment and at efficiencies," Roosen said.


"The engineers will see what we can do with what we have and what we might need to buy.


"Money is available for investment because we are very positive about this business."


Story by Jo Francis