Newcastle printing firm aims to “root more jobs” locally following management buyout

A Newcastle printing company’s founder has stepped down as CEO in a management buyout by two of its longest standing employees.

Large Print Works founder John Laidler has sold 90 per cent of the company to former sales manager Natasha Scott and production manager Gareth Kerr, whilst retaining a 10 per cent stake in the business, remaining as a non-executive director. Natasha will head up the business as managing director with Gareth as production director.

Since founding Large Print Works in 1988, formerly The Rip, the business has seen growth year on year and continuously develops and expands its offerings specialising in large format printing operating out of its 4,000 sq ft facility in the Hawick Crescent industrial estate, and employs seven staff.

Approaching retirement, John commented: “I had the option originally to sell it externally but because I had built the business from scratch, and my staff are like family having been with me for a long time, I knew deep down I would never be comfortable selling the business to investors.

“By doing it this way, we can safeguard its independence for the long term as well as providing some reassurance to our long standing clients that it is business as usual. Selling to Natasha and Gareth will secure the values, culture and ethos we have all built at Large Print Works and root more jobs in Newcastle as they continue to grow the business.

“We have seen a boom in enquiries and orders after a period of uncertainty and it is great to see that this future can be taken forward by our own employees who know and love this company as much as I do.”

The business has seen profits increase year on year and the last financial year saw a 30 per cent increase in sales, and is on target to increase this further by the end of the year.

Having worked her way up at Large Print Works since joining as an apprentice in 2012, managing director Natasha said: “Nearly 10 years ago when I joined Large Print Works having just left school, I bought in to the values and the culture that John created and I’ve never looked back.

“I know and love this business inside out and with John being on hand over the next year to tap into his experience and knowledge, we will still be delivering the same great service as always.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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