Printing firms are merging

6:53pm Wednesday 13th August 2008

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Two Keighley-based printers have merged to form a business with a turnover of £2.6 million which is looking to expand.

The company includes a specialist operation supplying official merchandise to leading Premier League football clubs.

Raiseprint Plc and Millprint are pooling their resources but will continue to operate under their existing names.

They will be run jointly by the founders of the original businesses, Steve Bell and Robin Milsted.

Millprint has relocated from its Russell Street premises, which it had outgrown, to Raiseprint’s headquarters in Royds Way.

The two expanding firms have a combined workforce pf 34. They have combined to pursue further growth and diversification.

Raiseprint was founded in 1981 by managing director Steve Bell at Hermit Hole, Keighley. Expansion saw the company move to larger premises three years later, and in in 1995 it transferred to its existing base.

Raiseprint became stock exchange-listed in 1997 and added a three-storey annexe housing a design studio and sales office.

Millprint was established in Bradford in 1991 by Robin Milsted, and moved to Keighley 12 years ago.

The company has since become recognised predominantly as a packaging printer.

It also operates in a specialist niche market through The Orginal Metal Sign Co, which manufactures metal signs using a collection of historic and modern-day images.

It has a growing client base in the UK and Europe, including making official merchandise for Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal football clubs.

Both companies have invested heavily in the latest state-of-the-art printing equipment and technology.

Last year Millprint bought the UK’s first Ryobi 750 five-colour press to boost capacity and quality as part of a £600,000 investment programme. The machine remains the only model in the country.

Mr Bell and Mr Milsted said the merger made sense as the two operations complemented each other.

Mr Bell said: “The merger also equips us with a more competitive edge and our combined expertise will allow us to expand and diversify in both current and new markets.

“It is a seamless amalgamation and a natural progression that guarantees the future of both companies.”