Blackwood-based Magazine printer Pensord has bought family business Cambrian Printers as it increases capacity and add new services to the group.

The £12m turnover Pensord prints more than 400 regular publication and employs some 150 people in Pontllanfraith.

It took the reins of Aberystwyth-based Cambrian Printers, which has a turnover of about £7m, from June 1, with a commitment to maintain the 50-plus workforce, and sustain and build on its litho printing of catalogues and brochures and its commercial and digital work.

Cambrian’s current family owners, Robert and Tim Read will be retiring from an industry their family has worked in for 90 years.

Pensord managing director Darren Coxon said: “Cambrian Printers is a well-respected name in the industry with a portfolio of long standing customers, so when the opportunity to purchase arose we jumped at it. In challenging times with a number of big printing names going to the wall, this acquisition gives us the chance to expand our capacity and takes us into new commercial territories, adding to our digital work, and broadening our footprint within Wales. Robert and Tim have been terrific to deal with, and we wish them well in their retirement, safe in the knowledge that the business is in stable ownership, and being looked after as part of the Pensord family.”

Darren led a management buyout at Pensord with operations director Karl Gater some seven years ago.

Robert Read said: “Cambrian has been a significant employer in west Wales since 1860 when we printed newspapers, and 1927 when the Read family took the helm, so when we decided to sell, it was important we found a buyer who had a real understanding of what we do, and an empathy with our staff.

"Pensord is a hugely respected name in the industry, building a very successful business, and winning awards and credit for their expertise and the way they treat their ‘Pensord people’, so we feel there could be no better name to take Cambrian forward from here.”

Since 2011 Pensord has invested more than £10m in technology and processes.

Darren said: “Cambrian shares a similar customer-focused culture to ourselves, and so we don’t foresee a great upheaval in operations and we hope that existing Cambrian clients will see business as usual and then a gradual improvement as we look to strengthen the business.”

The Cambrian name will remain for the time being, well established in a number of sectors including printing high quality catalogues for well-known national fine art auction houses.

Pensord was supported in the acquisition of Cambrian Printers by legal advice from Capital Law LLP. Financial due diligence was aided by Green & Co and corporate finance support came from Lexington Corporate Advisers.