ICSM Print Industry Insolvency News: National Newspaper’s future up for grabs, redundancies in Scotland, sign firm’s director disqualified, and Blink and you've missed it

By Harry Mottram: There’s been a mixed start to the year in the printing industry and related trades with Print Week reporting on the trade body British Printing Industry Federation's survey that showed some optimism at the end of the final quarter in 2025. Their Printing Outlook survey found that half of 192 companies asked output had increased while a third saw business remaining steady. In the newspaper sector the ongoing saga of the Daily Telegraph Group’s sale continues with The Mail Group waiting to hear if the Government approves their bid as there are concerns over monopolies. The owner of Germany’s Bild newspaper group has put in a joint bid which is thought to be an improvement on the DMG’s offer. While in the magazine sector the latest ABC results showed the top selling publication TV Choice was down by 5% as were other TV guides, but lifestyle magazines such as Men’s Health showed a growth in circulation.

Scottish Printer

Print Week’s Hannah Davenport has reported on the liquidation of Dundee print outfit Creative Graffix. She reported: “Kevin Mapstone of insolvency company BTG Begbies Traynor was appointed the liquidator of Creative Graffix Limited on 2 February. Five staff were made redundant due to the company’s closure, while former owner and managing director Richard Smyth has now moved to a new role at Winter & Simpson Print, which acquired the Creative Graffix order book, artwork files, email address, and phone lines.”

BTG Begbies Traynor said: “The company was no longer viable due to a combination of factors including short-term cashflow difficulties and longer-term increases in costs.  The brand and goodwill of the business, which had been built up over a long period of time, was sold prior to liquidation in order to realise value for the benefit of creditors, and also to provide some continuity for customers. The main printing equipment is being returned to third party owners, as it was not owned by the business, and unfortunately a total of five employees were made redundant.”

Disqualified director

Rebecca Rathmill has been disqualified from acting as a director for six years for applying and receiving the maximum amount of cash during the Covid crisis in a Bounce Back Loan. The Insolvency Service found she got £50,000 for her signage business Bury Signs in Manchester by claiming the firm’s turnover was £200,000 in 2019 when it was far less than that. Bury Signs received the £50,000 a year later and went bust in 2024 owing around £59,000.

Blink in trouble

Based in Leicestershire Blink Print appointed administrators Rebecca Dacre and Guy Hollander of Forvis Mazars  in January owing creditors hundreds of thousands of pounds. Print Week reported: “As of 2024 the firm employed 12 staff and reported tangible assets of £210,584, down from £309,663 the previous year, according to its most recent accounts. The financial statements also showed the business owed creditors a total of £755,224 in 2024, while debtors amounted to £460,032 in the same period.”

Ian Carrotte of ICSM who has many print firms as members said every failed print business was a tragedy - so much for the owners - but for the staff and suppliers who were often left with unpaid invoices. He said: "Historic debt is usually the culprit but there are other factors from hikes in energy costs, interest rates, a changing economy and a rise in employment costs which is something the BPIF found in their survery - now the biggest worry for the owners of printing companies."

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