Business 12 January / February 2023 Two of Large Print Works’ longest-standing employees have taken the reins of the Newcastle-based print company as the founder steps down as chief executive officer. John Laidler founded Large Print Works (formerly The Rip) in 1988 with the business experiencing growth year on year and expanding to specialise in large-format print from a 4,000sq ft facility. With customers including local councils, northeast businesses, universities, museums, and design agencies, Large Print Works produces work including Foamex, posters, digital wallpaper, banner stands, exhibition displays, and indoor and outdoor billboards. Laidler has now sold 90% of the company to former sales manager Natasha Scott and production manager Gareth Kerr whilst retaining a 10% stake in the business. He will remain as a non-executive director. Following the management buyout, Scott will oversee the business as managing director and Kerr will take the role of production director. Reflecting on the decision not to sell externally and instead opt for an internal sale, Laidler says: “Because I had built the business from scratch, and my staff are like family having been with me for a long time, I knew deep down I would never be comfortable selling the business to investors. “By doing it this way, we can safeguard its independence for the long term as well as providing some reassurance to our long-standing clients that it is business as usual. Selling to Natasha and Gareth will secure the values, culture, and ethos we have all built at Large Print Works and root more jobs in Newcastle as they continue to grow the business.” Large Print Works announces MBO [L to R] Gareth Kerr and Natasha Scott have taken over the business from founder John Laidler Simon Paul Inglis King, director of Blackfriars Contracts in Plymouth, has been disqualified as a company director for ten years. The announcement comes following an investigation which found King had claimed two Bounce Back Loans (BBL) for his business totalling £80,000, an amount well over the £50,000 allowed by the scheme. Blackfriars Contracts ran as a printing company until the company went into liquidation in 2020 with debts of over £230,000. According to GOV. UK, the business was referred to as a “hidden treasure” in Plymouth due to its long family history in print operations. King was already restricted by a five-year bankruptcy restriction also for Bounce Back Loan abuse. Previously he owed more than £100,000 leading to investigations into his involvement in BBLs. Martin Gitner, deputy head of insolvent investigations at the Insolvency Service, states: “Bounce Back Loans were introduced to help viable businesses through an extremely difficult period, providing them with the financial support during the pandemic to protect jobs and return to prosperity.” In the first case, King had exaggerated his income as a sole trader to claim a £50,000 loan for Blackfriars Contracts Division. The second most recent circumstance saw King apply for a £50,000 loan for Blackfriars Contracts after which he applied for a further £30,000 paid into a different company account. Gitner adds: “The conduct of Simon Paul Inglis King fell extremely short of the standards required of company directors.” King won’t be able to be involved in the promotion, formation, or management of a company without the approval of the court Plymouth print director faces ban Premium papers manufacturer Fedrigoni has agreed a deal with Arjowiggins to acquire Spanish specialty graphic papers provider Guarro Casas. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition was brokered in the days following the announcement that Arjowiggins Group and its UK subsidiaries filed for administration. Guarro Casas specialises in the production of fine papers, mainly for binding and creative applications, delivering products with value-added finishing for luxury packaging, book covering and security applications. “The acquisition of Guarro Casas is a new chapter of our global growth strategy in the world of specialty papers for premium packaging and other creative applications,” Fedrigoni chief executive Marco Nespolo says. Fedrigoni acquires Spanish paper provider Guarro Casas Guarro Casas was previously part of Arjowiggins which entered administration in late 2022 Penny Black secures new £1.3m investment Agfa and ninepointfive each committed £650,000 New e-commerce marketing and packaging innovator Penny Black has secured a further £1.3m in seed funding from Agfa and venture capital investor ninepointfive. Penny Black will use the new funding to support the ongoing development of its software that is designed to seamlessly connect ecommerce stores, marketing tools, and fulfilment operations. Agfa and ninepointfive each committed £650,000 to Penny Black as part of the latest round of funding. Having been incubated in Agfa’s innovation lab, Penny Black launched independently in the UK and Europe in April 2022 and has already secured a number of customers, including luxury jewellery and watch retailer Paul Valentine. By Carys Evans Editor @printmonthlyed By David Osgar
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