Expanding printers take over rival's factory space

Jun 30 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A PRINTING firm is set to increase its sales by around 15% over the next three years after taking on extra space at its factory after the collapse of one of its competitors.

Studio Print Ltd has taken over the remaining space at its 20,000sq ft factory on Kirkleatham Business Park, near Redcar, East Cleveland, after Theakston Print, which was sharing the facility, went into liquidation earlier this year.

Theakston, which employed six people, also sold much of its equipment to Studio Print, including a large format five-colour Litho press that allows Studio Print to create 60-inch by 40-inchposters for the high street.

The firm, which increased its sales last year by 15% to £1.1m, now expects to continue its growth with the help of the extra capacity and has retained two staff members from Theakston to add to its own 13-strong workforce.

It is now looking to create more jobs as the demise of its competitor allows it to increase market share as well as increase production through its expanded factory space.

The building was also the base for Jordison Print which collapsed in 2005 and again in 2006 after a failed attempt by a former employee to revive the 160-year-old business.