News

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT FOR HS PRINTERS
In response to several unfavourable comments and actions recently in the industry, we feel obliged to respond and set the truth on record. Firstly, HS Printers – both the companies in Romsey and Worcester – are completely independent of the previous management and its holding company, MPI.

HS Printers is certainly not a phoenix operation; the previous management only provided a very short period of handover and information exchange and have not visited our premises since 10 September, prior to completion of the acquisition of Borcombe and Goodman Baylis.

There is an excellent team at both the Romsey and Worcester sites where 270 employees have jobs.

Our businesses currently enjoy the support of some well-respected industry clients and suppliers, allowing high standards of customer services to continue.

We are, as is normal in the first days of ownership, in the process of building credibility with suppliers and customers. Without the former we can’t do the latter. Despite the difficulties we have encountered with certain suppliers and competitors in the form of anti-competitive actions, we do find the industry attractive.

We have a profitable business that we are determined to move forward for the benefit of all concerned – customers, employees and suppliers. The HS Printers companies are positioned to compete fairly and legally on a standalone basis to ensure continued success and look forward to the support of those that do and can benefit from it.
David Searle and Steve Hardy, HS Printers

FAMILY BUSINESSES VS THE PRE-PACKS
Further to the debate raging about the rise of pre-packs within the industry following HS Printer’s buyout of the MPI companies, of course all principled commentators would wish good fortune to the ex-MPI employees. However, there is a price for sentiment in business. To put it bluntly, it is accepting responsibility for debt. Yes, even the debt which has been incurred by others when previously operating from your premises.

Employees are partially cushioned by the employment regulations. However, family businesses often mortgage their homes to keep their businesses solvent. For those directors to see the pre-pack administrations escaping debt free, while they themselves have to forego such things as holidays in order to survive, it is going to raise more than a solitary eyebrow.

These are difficult trading times for everybody. In many instances, credit insurance has been drastically trimmed and this is having a knock-on effect throughout the whole production and sales line, from paper mill to end user.

The UK needs new blood, but most of all it needs principled business people who will meet their legal and moral liabilities and not walk away in a moment of crisis.
Clive Keeble. posted on printweek.com