The grandson of one of the founders of the UK’s leading bookbinding and conservation businesses, Falkirk-based Riley Dunn and Wilson, has helped to secure the future of the company after buying the assets of the business from the administrators, Tenon.

Charles Dunn, grandson of founder Hugh Dunn, and co-director Jeremy Mills, have formed a new company, Dunn and Mills Limited, in order to acquire the assets and goodwill of RDW from the administrators.

The deal, which is for an undisclosed sum, secures the jobs of 57 staff – 39 in Falkirk and 18 in Huddersfield.

Subject to the approval of RDW’s shareholders, the directors of Dunn and Mills Limited also hope to acquire the trading name – Riley Dunn and Wilson. Dunn and Mills Limited would then be renamed as Riley Dunn and Wilson Limited, thereby ensuring the continuity of a business that has almost 100 years of trading history and whose origins can be traced back to 1909.

The new owners plan to build on the traditional market strengths of RDW, whilst also targeting new markets by introducing a wide range of new products and services.

Charles Dunn, Managing Director, commented: ‘RDW has a reputation and tradition for excellence in craftsmanship and customer service. We have exciting plans to build on these strengths whilst also becoming more flexible, more targeted and more entrepreneurial. There are, for example, substantial and growing markets for specialist publishing and book production services, such as in conservation, repair and restoration, that we plan to develop”.

He added: “There is also growing demand for short runs, special editions and bespoke products. These markets need our expertise and we are excited about developing our business in these sectors”.

Kenny Craig, joint administrator with Tenon, added: "We are delighted that Charles and Jeremy have secured the assets of RDW. They have enormous experience of the business and have exciting plans to develop and grow the company. We are also very pleased that nearly 60 skilled jobs have been secured, which is important for Britain’s publishing sector, and for the local economies in both Falkirk and Huddersfield."