Calderprint to create 20 jobs following £932k acquisition

Burnley-based printing company Calderprint is set to create 20 new jobs after purchasing the buildings and assets of commercial printer Hudson & Pearson in a deal worth £932k.

Calderprint made the acquisition with the help of a £186.4k grant from the Lancashire Business Growth Fund (LBGF) and six-figure funding from NatWest.

Hudson & Pearson, which went into administration last November, will now operate under the Calderprint banner and is anticipated to boost the firm’s turnover by £2.5m within the next two years.

Mark Maden-Wilkinson, the director at Blackburn-based Pierce Chartered Accountants, negotiated the deal on behalf of Calderprint with administrator BDO, while Pierce Corporate Finance director David Sharpe supported the company on its grant application and business planning.

Calderprint’s owner and managing director, Peter Birbeck, said: “Pierce’s professional approach in identifying and securing this opportunity, and expertise in innovative funding solutions, has enabled us to complete a deal which will be key to our continued expansion.

“Coupled with financial support from NatWest, access to grant funding from the LBGF will enable us to create new jobs at the same time as investing in the future and I would urge anyone else with similar aspirations to seek advice.”

Following the acquisition, Peter has now restarted the presses at the Hudson & Pearson’s Dunnockshaw facility.

Commenting on the deal, David Sharpe of Pierce Corporate Finance said: “Having supported Calderprint for many years, Pierce is delighted to have been able to play a strategic role in supporting them to access this innovative funding solution.

“As well as enabling Calderprint to go from strength to strength, this deal will provide skilled jobs for local people. We wish Peter every success in the continued expansion of the business.”

Ian Liddle of Manchester law firm Farleys Solicitors LLP served as a legal advisor to Calderprint during the transaction, while chartered surveyors Landwood Group provided asset valuation services.

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