Fri, 06 Jun 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
The Encore Group, a printing firm based in the North East, has expanded with the acquisition of a Lancashire-based competitor. The group’s acquisition of Heritage Envelopes Limited could reportedly create more than 20 new jobs.
The acquisition brings together two of the UK’s longest-running envelope manufacturers, creating a business with a combined workforce of more than 300 staff. As well as securing existing jobs, the deal could create new roles at Encore’s sites in Dewsbury and Washington.
In 2023, Encore Group acquired a sizeable new logistics site in Peterlee to help it cope with soaring demand. According to the company, the acquisition of Heritage Envelopes will provide “much-needed consolidation to help maintain a healthy envelope market”.
Heritage Envelopes, which is based in Blackburn, has been acquired from Mayer-Kuvert-network GmbH as a going concern and, post-acquisition, will continue to trade as a subsidiary of Encore Group.
Longstanding Heritage CEO Mark Sears, who will remain with Mayer Group as head of its Bestpac UK Limited paper bag manufacturing business, commented: “This deal is important for both parties as it allows Mayer to concentrate solely an exciting phase of growth for Bestpac and for Encore to boost its envelope volumes in what is a very tough market.”
Encore Group Managing Director David Cooper, meanwhile, said that customer and supplier accounts were expected to continue operating seamlessly post-deal, saying it would be very much “business as usual”.
He continued: “Acquiring Heritage brings together two highly respected names in the envelope world and enables our group to bolster production levels.”
The acquisition continues a period of rapid growth for Encore Group, adding to its existing sites in Peterlee, County Durham; Washington, Tyne and Wear; and Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
In the year to November 30 2023, the group reported sales of £55.6 million and an operating profit of £7.1 million. At the time, the group employed 286 staff.
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