The move follows the retirement of Ace Envelope’s boss Michael Rubenstein, who had been running the company for nearly 20 years. The Envelope Works employs 30 staff at its Earby, Lancashire print-site and expects to have a turnover of around £5m this year. Following completion of the acquisition deal, the value of which was not disclosed, Ace Envelopes’ London business will be transferred to Lancashire. Ace envelopes was founded in 1994 and its annual turnover is just under £1m. The company’s two directors and four part-time staff chose not to relocate. Managing director of The Envelope Works Mark Farrimond said: “I’ve known the team at Ace envelopes for the past 19 years. The business model fits perfectly into our portfolio and what we’re trying to do, and gives us access to a new client base of around 750 customers.” The Envelope Works will operate Ace Envelopes business development through its sales office in Cambridge. “We may be looking to take on new people in sales to help with our plans to drive The Envelope Works’ new business,” said Farrimond. The company is in the process of implementing a long-term growth strategy, but the current market conditions have slowed its progress, he said. “It is a tough marketplace, but we are always on the lookout for strategic moves. It’s still early days, but I can’t wait to get started,” added...

The move follows the retirement of Ace Envelope’s boss Michael Rubenstein, who had been running the company for nearly 20 years. The Envelope Works employs 30 staff at its Earby, Lancashire print-site and expects to have a turnover of around £5m this year. Following completion of the acquisition deal, the value of which was not disclosed, Ace Envelopes’ London business will be transferred to Lancashire. Ace envelopes was founded in 1994 and its annual turnover is just under £1m. The company’s two directors and four part-time staff chose not to relocate. Managing director of The Envelope Works Mark Farrimond said: “I’ve known the team at Ace envelopes for the past 19 years. The business model fits perfectly into our portfolio and what we’re trying to do, and gives us access to a new client base of around 750 customers.” The Envelope Works will operate Ace Envelopes business development through its sales office in Cambridge. “We may be looking to take on new people in sales to help with our plans to drive The Envelope Works’ new business,” said Farrimond. The company is in the process of implementing a long-term growth strategy, but the current market conditions have slowed its progress, he said. “It is a tough marketplace, but we are always on the lookout for strategic moves. It’s still early days, but I can’t wait to get started,” added...

Usher, who stepped into his role this month, succeeds Friedheim International chief executive Peter Morris who has completed his two-year term in the position. Usher said his main priority would be to increase the UK print industry’s communication with government and other trade bodies. He said that the recent formation of the Graphic Print & Media Alliance (GPMA), announced at Fespa, would provide a major boost to lobbying efforts. He added: “Peter deserves a lot of credit for his role in bringing together the seven trade associations that form the GPMA. “The UK print, media and graphic arts industry now has the opportunity to find a stronger, louder collective voice and appeal successfully for the support we deserve as the country’s sixth largest industry. I shall be working hard with the other GPMA members to bring other trade bodies on board.” Usher said that he would also be focusing on supporting Ipex and ensuring that it was a success in 2014. “It’s important for the UK printing industry that Ipex continues to be successful, and I expect the new venue and a host of new features for Ipex 2014 to cement its position as a significant international exhibition. “We shall do all we can to support the organisers by encouraging all Picon members to exhibit.” Usher added that the body would look to increase its membership and focus particularly on digital and cross-media representatives. Handing over to Usher, outgoing chair Peter Morris said: “Picon is in excellent hands with Bob as chairman for the next two years. The depth of industry experience he brings to the role, particularly from the digital side, will benefit members considerably as the implications for digital technology within the industry become clearer. Usher joined the printing industry in 1966 starting as a technician with Rotaprint, then joining AM Multigraphics, followed by Itek Graphic Products. He founded Apex Reprographics in 1989 which became Apex Digital Graphics in 1995....

Usher, who stepped into his role this month, succeeds Friedheim International chief executive Peter Morris who has completed his two-year term in the position. Usher said his main priority would be to increase the UK print industry’s communication with government and other trade bodies. He said that the recent formation of the Graphic Print & Media Alliance (GPMA), announced at Fespa, would provide a major boost to lobbying efforts. He added: “Peter deserves a lot of credit for his role in bringing together the seven trade associations that form the GPMA. “The UK print, media and graphic arts industry now has the opportunity to find a stronger, louder collective voice and appeal successfully for the support we deserve as the country’s sixth largest industry. I shall be working hard with the other GPMA members to bring other trade bodies on board.” Usher said that he would also be focusing on supporting Ipex and ensuring that it was a success in 2014. “It’s important for the UK printing industry that Ipex continues to be successful, and I expect the new venue and a host of new features for Ipex 2014 to cement its position as a significant international exhibition. “We shall do all we can to support the organisers by encouraging all Picon members to exhibit.” Usher added that the body would look to increase its membership and focus particularly on digital and cross-media representatives. Handing over to Usher, outgoing chair Peter Morris said: “Picon is in excellent hands with Bob as chairman for the next two years. The depth of industry experience he brings to the role, particularly from the digital side, will benefit members considerably as the implications for digital technology within the industry become clearer. Usher joined the printing industry in 1966 starting as a technician with Rotaprint, then joining AM Multigraphics, followed by Itek Graphic Products. He founded Apex Reprographics in 1989 which became Apex Digital Graphics in 1995....

The machine, which was installed at JBP’s Rotherham site in July, has improved efficiency across the business by freeing up the company’s Schneider Senator guillotines for longer run work, according to director John Brailsford. JBP offers a quick-turnaround service for on-demand card printing, as well as more commercial work, at its sites in Rotherham and Barnsley and the Aerocut is being used to cut and crease short-run jobs. “Our volume of work is the same, but it is now being processed much more efficiently. We’ve been finding that for runs of fewer than 200, the Aerocut is the most efficient process. More than that and we put it on the guillotines,” said Brailsford. “We’ve been aggressively promoting our same-day service and this installation has really helped process this kind of work,” he added. The Aerocut is capable of handling sheet sizes up to B3 and stock weights of 120-350gsm. Speed is dependent on job complexity, but a typical A4 job, involving two cuts and one crease, can be processed at 20 sheets per minute, according to Uchida. “It’s so easy to set up and within just a few seconds we’ve changed formats, added a crease or set up a perforation, even for run lengths as few as one and without a single waste sheet”, said Brailsford. The Aerocut, which has a list price of £18,000, was supplied by Fingerprint Digital in Newmarket. The machine was ordered at North Print and Pack but was only installed last month due to a shortage of stock. John Brailsford Printers has a turnover of £1.1m and employs 16...