Concept4 and Printoff directors celebrate successful management buy out with employees

It's recently been announced that Lancashire-based Graphic Arts UK Ltd, trading as Concept4 and Printoff has been acquired by its three existing directors, Alex Buck, Jane Cleaver and Jason Tomlinson.  To celebrate this landmark in the company's history, employees have been granted an extra day's holiday.

The three directors have each been with the company for between 18 and 22 years. Jane Cleaver has some 25 years’ sales and marketing experience in design agency roles, while Alex Buck and Jason Tomlinson joined the company directly after graduation from university.

Under the outgoing owner, Allan Buck, Printoff was originally formed in 1976 and after 40 years under his tenure, the directors, including Allan's son, Alex, look forward to a bright future for Concept4 and Printoff as a combined force that already employs close to 50 staff from the local area. From our 16,000 sq ft trading base, we're well-placed for the UK's motorway network and already service clients from all over the UK and abroad.

MD, Jane Cleaver, says: “This business already has many strengths. Supported by the fantastic team we have here and our strong and loyal client base, Alex, Jason and I have some exciting ideas for developing the two trading businesses further and we look forward to rolling these out over the coming months. With a strong understanding of their needs, we will continue to partner with like-minded, progressive clients.”

Concept4 is a creative marketing and digital agency, boasting vast cross sector experience across education, healthcare and commercial. We provide creative solutions covering all aspects of marketing including branding, websites, apps, brochure design, digital strategy, photography and video. Our education specialism is significant and long-standing, allowing us to become nationally recognised as one of the leading providers of marketing services to schools and colleges. More locally, in the North West of England, we're a respected provider to NHS Trusts and a wide variety of commercial organisations.

Printoff, now in its 40th year, provides comprehensive, high quality printing services to organisations throughout the UK, with versatility across litho and digital presses, web-to-print, personalisation and print finishing services, all on site. Ongoing investment including PrintBank, an innovative web-to-print solution  that changes the way print is purchased,  means we continue to embrace new technologies and integrated processes.  Our impressive on site plant list includes sheet-fed 5 and 8-colour B2 litho presses, three top-of-the-range, versatile digital presses and complete print finishing services.

Technology Director, Alex Buck commented: “Building on strong foundations, I'm confident we will continue to open doors in our existing sectors offering creative communications and digital design solutions through Concept4, plus the best in print and web-to-print through Printoff. With our core skill sets and vastly experienced and knowledgeable team, we'll ensure existing and potential clients continue to benefit from a market-leading service.”

“This is a great 40th birthday present for the company" added Jason, Finance Director. "There's a certain uniqueness to Concept4 and Printoff when combined together. We look forward to growing a business that sees further exciting opportunities for a provider with a flexible approach across creative design, litho print, digital print and PrintBank, our 24/7 web-to-print solution."