The Buckinghamshire manufacturer of UV curing systems said its installation in Lahore, in conjunction with UK cold-foiling systems manufacturer Foiltone, was its first in Pakistan. The five-staff firm retrofitted and commissioned an existing press with UV curing technology for leading Lahore printer, Le Topical. The company has also signed an ongoing agreement with local agent Al-Abbas, said Benford UV sales and marketing manager Ron Ryan. “The market is definitely not flat for us; we’re bucking the trend,” he said. “Turnover is four times what we achieved last year and well over half of that is from overseas work. “We hear lots of talk of British manufacturing not doing do well, but we are a British manufacturer and we are selling products around the world. We are still a small company but turnover is going up rapidly.” Ryan said the company had made three installations in the last six months and export markets included Canada, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. It recently appointed an agent in New Zealand. “Over here it’s a bit static, and if a particular market is not that vibrant we can go further afield. We can retrofit most systems including Heidelberg, Manroland, KBA and Komori; we are not tied to any one manufacturer.” Managing director Marc Boden, who oversaw the installation in Pakistan, said: “I was able to meet with the Foiltone agent Al-Abbas and was impressed by their knowledge and with their customer-base in Pakistan. “They looked like a perfect partner for us. They have worked with other European manufacturers and our products slot well into that portfolio.” Al-Abbas managing director Jawwad Husayn Jafri said: “We were able to see Benford’s quality and service first hand and had no hesitation in accepting the offer to take their excellent products to our market place.”...

The Buckinghamshire manufacturer of UV curing systems said its installation in Lahore, in conjunction with UK cold-foiling systems manufacturer Foiltone, was its first in Pakistan. The five-staff firm retrofitted and commissioned an existing press with UV curing technology for leading Lahore printer, Le Topical. The company has also signed an ongoing agreement with local agent Al-Abbas, said Benford UV sales and marketing manager Ron Ryan. “The market is definitely not flat for us; we’re bucking the trend,” he said. “Turnover is four times what we achieved last year and well over half of that is from overseas work. “We hear lots of talk of British manufacturing not doing do well, but we are a British manufacturer and we are selling products around the world. We are still a small company but turnover is going up rapidly.” Ryan said the company had made three installations in the last six months and export markets included Canada, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. It recently appointed an agent in New Zealand. “Over here it’s a bit static, and if a particular market is not that vibrant we can go further afield. We can retrofit most systems including Heidelberg, Manroland, KBA and Komori; we are not tied to any one manufacturer.” Managing director Marc Boden, who oversaw the installation in Pakistan, said: “I was able to meet with the Foiltone agent Al-Abbas and was impressed by their knowledge and with their customer-base in Pakistan. “They looked like a perfect partner for us. They have worked with other European manufacturers and our products slot well into that portfolio.” Al-Abbas managing director Jawwad Husayn Jafri said: “We were able to see Benford’s quality and service first hand and had no hesitation in accepting the offer to take their excellent products to our market place.”...

MPG shareholders Tony Chard and Andy Simpson had been attempting to pull off a rescue of the collapsed group’s Kings Lynn and Bodmin print sites. This morning (18 June) it emerged that plan had proved unsuccessful. In a statement, chief executive Chard said: “The shareholders of MPG Printgroup have today announced that they have abandoned the possibility of a rescue plan for parts of the Group. Despite overwhelming support from the company’s employees, lenders, customers and suppliers the challenge to overcome a number of inherent issues has proved too great. “As a result all remaining employees at MPG’s plants at King’s Lynn and Bodmin are to be made redundant while steps are taken to put the company into administration which is anticipated to occur within the next week or so. It is hoped that the technologically advanced operating sites will be preserved, with opportunity given to interested parties to purchase the assets in situ. “It is a matter of deep regret that a rescue plan was not possible and the shareholders extend their thanks to all Employees for their long service and dedication over many years.” Chard told PrintWeek: “It has been a very emotional roller coaster but this pales into insignificance against the backdrop of 200 employees losing their jobs.” The group experienced a cashflow crisis last month, apparently due to over-running costs at its new Cambridge site. It had been in limbo since. Creditors including paper companies and asset finance businesses contacted by PrintWeek are yet to react to the latest turn of events. Check back for updates....

MPG shareholders Tony Chard and Andy Simpson had been attempting to pull off a rescue of the collapsed group’s Kings Lynn and Bodmin print sites. This morning (18 June) it emerged that plan had proved unsuccessful. In a statement, chief executive Chard said: “The shareholders of MPG Printgroup have today announced that they have abandoned the possibility of a rescue plan for parts of the Group. Despite overwhelming support from the company’s employees, lenders, customers and suppliers the challenge to overcome a number of inherent issues has proved too great. “As a result all remaining employees at MPG’s plants at King’s Lynn and Bodmin are to be made redundant while steps are taken to put the company into administration which is anticipated to occur within the next week or so. It is hoped that the technologically advanced operating sites will be preserved, with opportunity given to interested parties to purchase the assets in situ. “It is a matter of deep regret that a rescue plan was not possible and the shareholders extend their thanks to all Employees for their long service and dedication over many years.” Chard told PrintWeek: “It has been a very emotional roller coaster but this pales into insignificance against the backdrop of 200 employees losing their jobs.” The group experienced a cashflow crisis last month, apparently due to over-running costs at its new Cambridge site. It had been in limbo since. Creditors including paper companies and asset finance businesses contacted by PrintWeek are yet to react to the latest turn of events. Check back for updates....

MPG shareholders Tony Chard and Andy Simpson had been attempting to pull off a rescue of the collapsed group’s Kings Lynn and Bodmin print sites. This morning (18 June) it emerged that plan had proved unsuccessful. In a statement, chief executive Chard said: “The shareholders of MPG Printgroup have today announced that they have abandoned the possibility of a rescue plan for parts of the Group. Despite overwhelming support from the company’s employees, lenders, customers and suppliers the challenge to overcome a number of inherent issues has proved too great. “As a result all remaining employees at MPG’s plants at King’s Lynn and Bodmin are to be made redundant while steps are taken to put the company into administration which is anticipated to occur within the next week or so. It is hoped that the technologically advanced operating sites will be preserved, with opportunity given to interested parties to purchase the assets in situ. “It is a matter of deep regret that a rescue plan was not possible and the shareholders extend their thanks to all Employees for their long service and dedication over many years.” Chard told PrintWeek: “It has been a very emotional roller coaster but this pales into insignificance against the backdrop of 200 employees losing their jobs.” The group experienced a cashflow crisis last month, apparently due to over-running costs at its new Cambridge site. It had been in limbo since. Creditors including paper companies and asset finance businesses contacted by PrintWeek are yet to react to the latest turn of events. Check back for updates....