Blackburn-based business acquired by printing and packaging giant

A major printing and packaging company has acquired a competitor from Blackburn, in a deal that could potentially create over 20 jobs. 

The Encore Group has acquired Heritage Envelopes Limited, bringing together two of the UK’s longest established and most successful envelope manufacturers.

Already boasting a workforce of over 300 staff, the deal will not only secure many existing jobs but create new roles at Encore’s sites in Washington and Dewsbury.

David Cooper, managing director of Encore, said: “Acquiring Heritage brings together two highly respected names in the envelope world and enables our group to bolster production levels."

The acquisition marks yet more growth for The Encore Group, which has gone from strength to strength since forming over 40 years ago – establishing itself as the leading one-stop shop for bespoke printed envelopes.

In 2023, it acquired a huge new logistics site in Peterlee to cope with soaring demand.

The acquisition of Heritage Envelopes Limited, from Mayer-Kuvert-network GmbH for an undisclosed sum, will provide much-needed consolidation to help maintain a healthy envelope market, throughout both the UK and Europe. 

The Blackburn-based business has been acquired as a going concern and will continue to trade as a subsidiary of Encore.

And David added it will be “business as usual”, with current customer and supplier accounts remaining  - and operating seamlessly – with Heritage.

“The high level of service that is associated with Encore will be received by clients of both businesses with no interruption to supply,” he added.

The acquisition, which was completed on Tuesday (June 3), is the latest from Encore which previously purchased Great Northern Envelopes in a deal which helped expand the company into Yorkshire whilst saving over 50 jobs.

Former Heritage Managing Director, Mark Sears, will continue in the same role with Bestpac UK Ltd, a paper bag manufacturing business owned by Heritage and which will also continue to operate. 

Mark said: "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."

For more information on The Encore Group, visit https://theencoregroup.co.uk/