ICSM Print Industry Insolvency News: Swindon printer appoints liquidators; Norfolk company goes bust; TJ Books rescued from administration
By Harry Motttram: Ian Carrotte of ICSM said the printing industry like much of the British economy is under pressure from increased costs due to the rise in National Insurance outlined in the autumn budget plus the continued higher levels of inflation. And with the dangers of a trade war around the globe prompted by President Trump’s tariffs there is likely to be a knock-on effect. He said: “Printing as an industry has faced pressures since the glory days of the 1980s before the internet with declining newspaper printing, and a reduction in printed marketing literature. Packaging has increased and book publishing has held up but there’s no doubt that the average print shop is facing difficult times as these latest casualties confirm.”
Acorn Press
The printing and allied trades industry publication Print Week has charted the downfall of Acorn Printing in Swindon which has appointed liquidators after closing in January along with its twin firm MPD Offset. Acorn Press Swindon and MPD Offset joined forces last year but the merger didn’t work out and the firm crashed in the New Year leaving 60 workers out of a job and the suppliers wondering if they will be paid.
The journalist Richard Stuart-Turner reported in Print Week: “According to filings at The Gazette, Huw Powell and Andrew Hook of Begbies Traynor (Central) were appointed as joint liquidators for both companies on 27 February 2025. Managing director Simon Evers told Printweek shortly after the closure of the companies that, despite substantial investment in many areas, it had not been possible for Acorn or MPD to achieve the required sales volumes, while a weakening market in the last 12 months materially impacted business.”
The firm dates back to the glory days of print when it was founded in 1979 and has survived the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s plus the credit crunch of 2008 and even the Covid Crisis – but the Cost of Living Crisis was one downturn too many.
Blackwell Print
Based in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and dating back to the 19th century Blackwell Print has called it a day as margins shrank and profits failed to materialise this year. The administrators McTear Williams & Wood reported by Print Week said the firm, ‘had seen its margins steadily erode due to external price pressures and ever rising raw material, employment, and energy costs, combined with a high level of historical debt acquired through the Covid-19 pandemic.’
Sadly, it was decided that there was no alternative but to put the company into voluntary liquidation. The journalist Richard Stuart-Turner reported: “The firm employed 16 members of staff at its 1,050sqm leased premises in the Norfolk coastal town, with all made redundant with effect from Thursday (27 February), when the business ceased trading.”
TJ Books
Better news from Cornwall where TJ Books are likely to be bought out of administration after it ran into trouble last month. Fellow book publisher Clays of Suffolk have moved to acquire the Padstow business. Clays of Bungay in Suffolk is some 400 miles away and is owned by Italy’s Elcograf Group since 2018 reported Richard Stuart-Turner of Print Week. In his report he said Clays CEO Edoardo Cuomo had sent a letter to staff: “This development presents exciting opportunities for all of us. It enhances our portfolio, particularly in the ultra-short run segment, where we have faced challenges in investment and capacity. With this acquisition, we can now pursue new customer opportunities, reinforcing our position in the industry.”
He said Clays has acquired TJ’s assets and contracts via a pre-pack sale through administrators at KR8 Advisory and had taken on all 130 staff.
Print Week can be found at https://www.printweek.com/news/
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ICSM, The Exchange, Express Park, Bristol Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4RR. Tel: 0844 854 1850. www.icsmcredit.com. Ian.carrotte@icsmcredit.com