The Isle of Man’s oldest printing business is continuing its successful programme of expansion into the UK. Bridson & Horrox Group has recently concluded the acquisition of Wallace Printers in Bolton, following the purchase of Haslam Printers in Chorley in early 2016.

The decision to expand into the UK market was taken by Bridson & Horrox Managing Director, Darren Horrox, as part of a long-term strategy to future-proof the Group, making it more resilient to ever-changing and volatile economic conditions and able to respond in a more agile manner. The stability and continued success of the firm’s local operation, on the Hills Meadow Industrial Estate in Douglas, and its position as the Island’s leading print company have facilitated this expansion programme.

The decision to purchase both Wallace and Haslam was a considered one, with Bridson & Horrox keen to ensure that the companies it brought into the Group shared the same ethos and values of exceptional customer service and ease of doing business. Like Bridson & Horrox, which celebrates its 84th birthday this year and is in its third-generation family ownership, both businesses were previously family-owned and operated, with Wallace having been established in 1921 and Haslam in 1959.

Bridson & Horrox Group now plans to take it’s highly innovative ‘digital print hub’ concept to the UK market. Not only will this provide benefits to its customers there, but it also provides measurable benefits to its customers in the Isle of Man with both dry toner and electrostatic ink print processes utilised. The broad range of services that Bridson & Horrox Group offers across its three brands means that no job is too large or too small, from business stationery through to signage and exceptional quality marketing literature, something that the company is renowned for on the Island especially.

The expansion coincides with the strategic decision by Bridson & Horrox Group to partner Egan Reid, the UK’s largest independent stationery and office furniture supplier, to provide increased benefits to the company’s customers across the Isle of Man and the UK, and ensure even more agile final mile delivery for them. This partnership has led to the recent sale of Bridson & Horrox’s stationery and office furniture division to Egan Reid. Local customers will experience no difference in day-to-day service, with the operation still trading under the ‘B&H’ brand and being run by the same employees.
                                                                                                                                                                               
Bridson & Horrox Group Managing Director, Darren Horrox, commented: “Nokia, Kodak and BlackBerry are three brands which demonstrate what happens when businesses fail to take a long-term view and future-proof to meet changing market conditions or competitor activity. Bridson & Horrox has enjoyed the success it has to date because of the emphasis we place on long-term planning, innovative thinking and most of all listening to our customers.                                                     

“Our expansion into the UK market with the acquisition of both Wallace and Haslam is an example of how we are building the Group to lead us into our 85th year and beyond. It’s an exciting time in our future, particularly given that the print market and the economy continue to evolve at a significant pace, and we are proud that a family-run Manx business is leading the way in this area. We pride ourselves on our ability to become an extension of our customers’ businesses, providing them with essential print solutions in a timely and cost-effective manner, and that will not be compromised for our customers here in the Isle of Man following our expansion.”