Press release / Finger Prints appoints new director and expands UK operations
Finger Prints, the Barrow-In-Furness printing firm, has set its sights firmly on business growth, with the appointment of new director and shareholder Paul Ackred and the takeover of a further two printing firms in the South West of England.
Visionary owner of Finger Prints, Allan Kerr, who has 20 years’ experience in the print industry, has firmly established himself in the North West market, following successful business acquisitions in the area and has branched his expertise further across the UK.
To support his business growth plan, Kerr has brought the experience of Paul Ackred onboard, to strengthen the printing services available from Finger Prints, with further business acquisitions – both in the North West and elsewhere.
“I’m delighted to have been appointed to this leadership role and position as shareholder. It’s been a great challenge to apply my experience from the finance sector to leading and decision-making for such a thriving and dynamic firm and I look forward to all that comes next” commented Mr Ackred, who first joined Finger Prints as a sales manager, working in this role for three and a half years prior to his promotion as director.
Kerr’s new expansion into the South West of England has so far seen successful company buyouts of three long-established firms in the region. In Somerset, BWW Printers in Bridgwater, and in Wiltshire the Baskerville Press in Salisbury and one of Warminster’s oldest firms, the Warminster Press.
The North West saw Kerr’s first acquisitions in the print industry, with a buyout in 2004 of one of Cumbria’s oldest firms, Fletcher and Robinson, established in 1860. In 2005, he acquired design and print firm Mersey Print in Liverpool.
“These acquisitions provide a great opportunity to further strengthen the printing services available from Finger Prints, allowing the firm to offer a more diverse range of quality printing from the new partner firms” commented Mr Kerr.
“The UK print industry boasts a wealth of talent and skill and I’m therefore keen to broaden our reach to this home grown expertise, Expansion into new North West firms and new geographical areas, is not only a positive move for respective businesses and staff, but our customers too. I’m very keen to further develop operations in the North West and am always looking for the next business sale opportunity.”
Mr Kerr has a reputable history in running printing companies in the North West. Upholding a strong belief in the value of face-to-face communication with staff from the outset, he has a proven track record of ethically undertaking company buyouts.
Award-winning Finger Prints of Barrow-In-Furness provides quality design, print and direct mail services. In 2004, the company won acclaim as the Best Environmental Business of the Year 2004.