Chris Fowler International has strengthened its print-on-demand operations by purchasing Williams Lea's 50-staff printing arm.


The new set-up hopes to make 15m sales by focusing on fast turnaround, high-quality work for finance and business services.


CFI chairman Mervyn Greene heads the new set-up that takes his firm's name. He would not say how much he paid, but Williams Lea will retain a shareholding of between a quarter and a third as part of the deal.


No job losses are planned and the deal includes the Williams Lea lease on its Tower Bridge plant, four Heidelberg SRA2 machines and Muller finishing kit.


CFI's 50 Islington staff move to Tower Bridge next month, with five Speedmaster SRA3s and Horizon perfect binders. Digital kit will include Kodak IS70s and Xerox DocuTechs.


"External production of documents is important to their facilities management client base," said Greene. "A partner in document management helps us."


Tom Barry, Williams Lea's director of business development, said it would focus on management after printing.


His firm approached CFI, which also has sites in New York and Hong Kong. Director of strategic development Justin Barton will sit on the CFI board.


Williams Lea refuted talk that it aimed to buy back shares from staff. "Most people want to hold on to them - we have been tremendously successful for three years," said Barry.


Story by Jez Abbott