Precision Printing, ProCo Print and Prime Group have today merged to form the Precision Proco Group. The new entity, which also includes the online print portal Where The Trade Buys and digital solutions provider Climb, expects to grow turnover £45-50m this year - a slight increase on last year’s figures.
New group chairman, and merger advisor, is former British Airways director, Philip Osmond. Gary Peeling of Precision Printing - which has sites in London and Sunderland - is the new group’s CEO. Jon Bailey, formerly of Sheffield-based ProCo, becomes COO. Jon Tolley, of Prime in Nottingham, is group CIO. Dominic Neary, who has joined from Just Eat, has taken on the role of CFO.
Precision and ProCo will operate as Precision Proco, while Prime will retain its name with a new brand identity.
The companies, which have worked together for a number of years, said the driving force behind the move - which has been under discussion for two years - was the recognition that all of them shared a “combined passion to print differently for e-commerce”.
“Our customers in the main are established brands which are looking to expand their market share though innovation, or businesses re launching or developing an e-commerce brand,” said Peeling. “The introduction of Climb as part of the group, an award-winning digital solutions provider specialising in e-commerce, and the unique technology platforms it is creating for us, will allow us to optimise offline marketing through smart automation, smart collaboration and smart utilisation.”
The new organisation has large-format kit, 15 digital presses, four litho presses, high-speed inkjet, laser cutting and a range of specialist finishing lines. The companies work across a range of sectors, printing for consumer brands and retailers along with developing a number of e-commerce products and platforms.
Peeling said: “We are continuing to invest in the company and have already acquired a new 40,000 square foot site at South Normanton outside of Nottingham and a new compass binding machine which together represent a £1m investment.”
There are no redundancies as a result of the merger. “We have talked to all staff across all sites and explained to them what we are doing and why. They know we are stronger together and this merger adds more value and that we are looking to embark on an aggressive growth strategy which will allow us to maintain job security and continue to invest,” said Peeling.
