A BRADFORD printing firm has announced ambitious expansion plans following the purchase of assets from a fellow Bradford business which has gone into liquidation.

Claremon, based in Wakefield Road, Bowling, is aiming to double its turnover over the next 12 months and create nine new jobs after agreeing to buy a large portion of the assets of Wheelden Print.

Wheelden Print, which was also based in Wakefield Road, went out of business earlier this month, which resulted in 13 jobs being lost.

As part of the arrangement with the liquidator, Claremon has acquired a five colour printing press, a die cutter, guillotines, and some folding and stitching equipment.

The printers supplies brochures, direct mail and leaflets to customers across the UK.

It currently employs a team of eight, and in the coming months is looking to expand its workforce to 17.

John Conroy, managing director of Claremon, said: “We were sorry to hear that Wheelden Print had shut down.

“When a business closes it’s people’s livelihoods that are affected but we hope that by buying the assets off the liquidator we can take our own business to the next level and, in doing so, we may even be able to employ some of Wheelden’s former members of staff.

“It is a massive thing for us. We think we have the opportunity to expand hugely in the coming months.

“We’ll be looking to recruit a printer, three print finishers, a production manager, three administration staff and a studio reprographics operator.

“The new equipment and staff will allow us to offer a faster turnaround for customers, move a wider range of production in-house rather than sub-contracted out and we’ll also be able to take on larger contracts.”

Bingley-native Mr Conroy, 44, added that while the print business faces a growing challenge from digital marketing, it remains in a healthy state.

“What we find is that whilst people invest in a website, people still like to receive things in the post,” he added.

“We are confident that there is a bright future for the print industry and we will continue to work hand in hand with the digital industry.

“What’s really worked well for us is having a marketing portal on our website which allows companies that operate from several different sites to ensure there is consistency of printed material across the whole of their business.”