Spencer Slee, managing director of Print Evolved describes the move as a “friendly acquisition with benefits for all”.

He continues: “VR Print is an extremely well run, advanced technology company with a complementary offering to our own.

“Combining our resources will maximise operating efficiencies and together we will have a great customer base, all of whom will be able to take advantage of the additional services available.”

Having also recently acquired Mayfield Press, Print Evolved has factories in Islington, Oxford, Gerrards Cross, and Tonbridge.

As a result of these acquisitions, Print Evolved can fulfil most online print requirements, and with the addition of VR Print, can offer additional specialist equipment for printing short run personalised books, direct mail, and fulfilment in house.

Andrew Balcombe, managing director of VR Print adds: “This is an exciting bringing together of two of the country’s major web-to-print businesses enabling us to merge the technical specialities of both. Our combined automated workflow systems give greater capacity, improved efficiency and customer benefits, notably with an economical, same day service for the London area.

“Whilst my exit has been accelerated by health issues, the forward plan for VR has been to join a like-minded partner to take the company forward. I believe that joining Print Evolved is an excellent fit, giving greater size and scale to compete at all levels and significantly increasing our offering in order to better meet customers’ evolving needs.”

Following the acquisition, all staff, premises and equipment will remain under the wider Group brand.

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