Graphius Group acquires London Docklands-based printer Park Communications

Graphius Group has acquired London Docklands-based printer Park Communications. 

The deal will see Park continue trading under its existing brand, while gaining access to additional resources and new services from the Graphius Group. 

Graphius c.e.o. Denis Geers and Philippe Geers will join Park’s board, while Park’s leadership team, m.d. Alison Branch and c.e.o. Heath Mason, will continue in their existing roles, with Joris Deckers, Graphius’ commercial director, joining the team. 

Park Communications specialises in high-end print for annual reports, auction houses and art, magazines, brand advertising and financial services.

Graphius is best known for its high quality sheet-fed litho printing and binding for the publishing, art and museum sectors. It said its acquisition of Park will enable it to offer faster turnarounds to its UK customers for short-run soft cover productions. This complements its binding capabilities in Ghent and Paris which have cased binding and capacity for long runs.  

The two companies said the acquisition will also provide greater flexibility and choice around long-run litho productions, including the opportunity for clients of either business to print locally in the UK or Europe and increased case-binding capabilities for Park clients, enabling the production of long runs of casebound books. The acquisition will also enable the companies to purchase paper at the most competitive rates. 

Denis Geers said: "The acquisition of Park, with its very well-established reputation for quality and integrity, is a well-considered move towards becoming a local producer in the UK. Our existing broad UK customer base, the competence of Park’s staff, and its high quality production facilities located where they are in London, convinced us to take this step.” 

Mason added: "For some years, we have been looking for the right partner to take Park forward for the next 30 years. This is for our employees, our clients and for our suppliers. We have been speaking with Denis and Philippe for nearly three years, and over that time have built a relationship of trust and understanding. Graphius and Park have a very similar culture, which really cares for its stakeholders. Alison and I are very pleased to be part of Graphius Group, and now look forward to taking the business forward under their ownership.”